M.S. in Fundraising and Grantmaking
Alumna, Class of 2011
After more than two years of working in advertising, Sabrina Kippur, a Stanford University graduate, realized she enjoyed her volunteer development work with the University’s young alumni more than her job. She decided to pursue a career in educational fundraising and chose the M.S. in Fundraising and Grantmaking program at the George H. Heyman, Jr. Center for Philanthropy and Fundraising.
Within two weeks of starting her master’s degree, Kippur was hired as assistant director of development at the NYU School of Medicine. Her coursework and job responsibilities often complemented each other. While she was learning about fundraising best practices in the Annual, Capital Campaigns and Major Gifts course, Kippur played an instrumental role in developing an annual campaign at work.
She acquired additional real-world experience when, as a member of one of six student teams, she created an annual fundraising plan for HealthRight International, a global health and human rights organization. The plan, which was presented to HealthRight’s board of directors, provided the organization with new ways to do business and to raise money. The assignment provided the team members with the opportunity to sharpen their skills and to learn more about the industry. "It was an unparalleled experience and a win-win situation all around," notes Kippur.
Recently promoted to associate director of development at the NYU School of Medicine, she will continue to apply all that she has learned in the classroom to her own work environment.