McCabe Leads Sanford Institute

McCabe Leads Sanford Institute

By Dan Silvia, Communications Manager

A dedicated life-long learner, Nancy McCabe is embracing new experiences as the director of the University’s Sanford Institute of Philanthropy. The Institute already has a successful event under its belt having hosted an event that attracted 200 people to Happy Hollow Country Club on December 13 to discuss nonprofit sustainability, building capacity, and developing strategic/business plans.

The University’s Sanford Institute of Philanthropy is dedicated to helping nonprofits significantly increase their fundraising capabilities and positive impact in the Nebraska and Western Iowa region. Based on the vision of philanthropist and entrepreneur T. Denny Sanford, the University’s partnership is part of a growing nationwide network of Institutes that offers proven curricula presented by recognized nonprofit leaders, members of academia, and renowned philanthropists.

The national initiative is led by California-based National University, home to the founding Sanford Institute of Philanthropy, which was launched in 2014. National University, which has developed the core curriculum based on Mr. Sanford’s vision, is overseeing the creation of a network of affiliate Institutes. A foundational element of each Institute is the Cause Selling approach, which blends the passion of philanthropy with an emphasis on business principles.

McCabe is embracing the opportunity.

“There is so much to learn. We have a great opportunity having the partnership with the Sanford Institute in San Diego,” McCabe said. “They have the curriculum. We just need how to apply that curriculum to our communities.”

On the agenda will be seminars addressing a number of issues from a non-profit perspective including use of social media, strategic planning, and fund raising.

“We’re also working on bringing like-minded non-profits together to talk about their specific issues such as non-profits that work on military issues, or children’s issues,” McCabe said. “We’re looking at bringing those groups together to see how they can collaborate.”

McCabe comes to the University after serving as the executive assistant for current Nebraska Governor Pete Ricketts. She worked for Ricketts, while both were at TD Ameritrade and left with him to help run his campaign for the U.S. Senate in 2006.

McCabe earned her bachelor’s degree in Communication Arts from the University in 2013, which capped a four-decade-plus journey to her degree which began in 1969. In addition, both her son, Tyler, and daughter, Melissa, have earned degrees at Bellevue University.

“It was fun having all ages of students in my classes, and the professors all brought interesting life experiences to the classroom,” McCabe said in the Fall 2013 issue of the View. “The first class I took was the Kirkpatrick Signature Series and the best part was that my son, Tyler, was also in the class. We really enjoyed being in it together, since we have similar views on the founding fathers, government and politics. We had a great time.”