Matching Top MBA Candidates with Philadelphia's Best Non-Profit Organizations
The Non-Profit Board Leadership Program ("NPBLP") at the Wharton School was launched in the spring of 2005 with the goal of creating an experiential learning environment for students that would also support local non-profits. To achieve this goal, the NPBLP places second year MBAs on boards of local non-profit organizations in order create a mutually beneficial experience for both the student and the non-profit. Participating students are given the title of "Visiting Board Member" and are staffed on committees of respective Boards which focus on particular strategic areas for each organization (e.g. accounting, finance, marketing, etc.).
The program is rooted in a commitment to serving the long-term needs of non-profit organizations in the Philadelphia area. Together, it is envisioned that both Wharton and local non-profits can help each other succeed and achieve a rich understanding of the growing intersection between business and non-profit activities.
In late 2006 the NPBLP made the exciting transition to become part of the Wharton Leadership Program. NPBLP will continue to be a student-run initiative but will be able to leverage the infrastructure, administrative support, and wealth of experience and knowledge in leadership development and training from the Leadership Program.
14 Wharton MBA students have been selected to serve as Visiting Board Members for the 2007-2008 academic year. Visit the 'Visiting Board Members' page for details on our participants and the non-profits they are paired with.
Vision:
To be the premier experiential leadership development program at Wharton, through which students have a meaningful impact on the Philadelphia nonprofit community and cultivate a life-long commitment to nonprofit service.
Mission statement/objectives:
- Leverage the intellectual capital and experience within the Wharton MBA program to bring business skills and ideas to the Philadelphia nonprofit community
- Educate and provide exposure to MBA students in the world of nonprofits, leading to a lifelong interest in community service
- Enhance Wharton's brand as a program which caters to non-traditional business interests
- Enrich Wharton's leadership development program by providing MBA students with the unique, hands-on experience of serving on a non-profit board
- Be a highly sought-after resource for Philadelphia nonprofits in finding new talent and innovative ideas
