M.S. in Fundraising and Grantmaking
Alumna, Class of 2008
"The best thing about a career in fundraising is that every single day, my job is to literally work to make this world a little better," says Casey Rotter, a recent graduate of the Heyman Center's M.S. in Fundraising and Grantmaking.
Currently working at the U.S. Fund for UNICEF, as a development officer for major gifts, Rotter always knew she wanted a career in the not-for-profit sector. After graduating from the University of Wisconsin (Madison) with a degree in international relations, Rotter thought her pathway into the field would be nonprofit law. However, after careful research and a meeting with Heyman Center founder and Executive Director Naomi Levine, Rotter discovered the impact she could make as a development professional.
"I cannot think of any place better to learn about philanthropy and the profession of fundraising," she says. "This is the heart of the industry, with access to working practitioners at the highest levels and with the greatest experience. You can barely walk down a street or enter a building in New York City without being reminded of all the philanthropists—the Rockefellers, the Carnegies, and others—that built our museums, schools, hospitals, universities, libraries, and public institutions. And, behind every one of those philanthropists, there was probably a fundraiser."
The Chicago-native's future goals include becoming an executive director for an international humanitarian organization or perhaps running a foundation. Right now though, Rotter is focused on growing her experience using the tools gained through her graduate studies. She recently led the creation of, and now manages, UNICEF's new young philanthropic initiative—UNICEF's Next Generation—based in part on her NYU-SCPS coursework.
"Earning the M.S. in Fundraising and Grantmaking degree has already played a significant role in getting me to where I am today," says Rotter. "In a field that values ‘years of experience,' it helped give me credibility and demonstrates my wholehearted dedication to this work."