Buckman Fellowship

An initiative for the study and practice of philanthropy, leadership and personal and community improvement.

 

fel·low·ship (fl-shp) n.

a. The condition of sharing similar interests, ideals, or experiences, as by reason of profession, religion, or nationality.

b. The companionship of individuals in a congenial atmosphere and on equal terms.

 

 

The Buckman Fellowship for Leadership in Philanthropy is a unique opportunity for faculty, staff, graduate students, and alumni of the University of Minnesota to learn about the world of philanthropy. The program is available to individuals affiliated with the College of Design (CDes), College of Education and Human Development (CE+HD), and the College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences CFANS).

 

The Fellowship meets one Friday afternoon a month for a seminar that includes a "how to..." topic*, with time for reflection and application, along with brainstorming and discussion with other Fellows.  Fellows are expected to conduct additional outside reading, research, and planning, such as conducting competitive research, determining project costs, and creating a project or business plan. At the end of the year, Fellows should make reasonable progress on their project (defined by the Fellow), and have a plan for proceeding.

 

*examples have included grantwriting and fundraising, project management, marketing, strategy, creative problem solving, negotiation and communications, and building partnerships.

 

Who are Buckman Fellows?

Our Fellows come from a broad spectrum of interest. Therefore, our descriptions and guidelines are deliberately open-ended to allow for people to see their interests as a potential fit.  However, Fellows share many common beliefs and often become a close-knit cohort.

 

The successful applicant will be able to describe a specific philanthropic project that they wish to undertake.  Projects may be small and well defined, or they might lay the foundation for many years of work.  Click on the links above to see a list of current and previous Fellows, along with a brief description of their projects.

 

Buckman fellows reflect the following core values:

• A belief in the interconnectedness of people and their environments

• A commitment to diversity and inclusivity in its many forms

• An understanding that development occurs throughout the lifespan

• An awareness of the impact of social responsibility and sustainability in implementing their projects

 

What do Buckman Fellows do?

Fellows learn more about participating in philanthropy, and then put learning into action.  These activities are considered essential to a Fellow’s participation:

 

• Attend scheduled monthly Buckman seminars from September through May. Meetings are from 1-5pm on Friday afternoons. Specific Fridays are selected with input from Fellowship cohort.

• Contribute to a collegial atmosphere, engaging in helpful exchange with colleagues in the program.

• Develop a project plan; engage in the process and implementation of their project

• Participate in at least three activities related to philanthropy and leadership, at the University or in the community.

• Present a mid-year progress report on their professional development and status of their project

• Provide a final report at year’s end, as well as a presentation at end-of-year ceremonies

 

How are Fellows selected?

We select up to ten Fellows annually by an advisory board of Twin Cities philanthropy and fundraising experts.  Visit the application page to read more about the application process and download the PDF.  Applications are due April 1, and Fellows are notified by May 31.

 

 

The fellowship is made possible by the Mertie W. Buckman Endowed Fund for Leadership in Philanthropy, established in 2002. Mrs. Buckman, a dedicated philanthropist and faculty member in the former College of Human Ecology, focused her life and work on philanthropy and education, echoing the core values outlined above. Her generous gift provides opportunities for fellows to become experts and leaders in philanthropy.

 

 

For more information about the Buckman Fellowship Program, contact Colleen Kahn at kahn0024@umn.edu