EBI at Crummer: Empowering Nonprofits to Drive Social Impact and Economic Value

Nonprofit organizations bridge the gap between the private sector and the government, playing a critical role in fostering community well-being. To enhance their missions and drive greater impact, these entities benefit from the support of dedicated institutions like the Edyth Bush Institute for Philanthropy & Nonprofit Leadership (EBI). As a Center of Excellence at the Crummer Graduate School of Business, EBI is instrumental in fulfilling Crummer’s purpose of developing globally minded leaders who create both economic value and social impact.

In response to a rapidly evolving market, EBI has embarked on a transformative journey, unveiling a three-year strategic plan that redefines its mission and vision. This plan clarifies EBI’s target audience and outlines four key strategic priorities, all designed to guide the Center’s future efforts and amplify its impact on the nonprofit sector.

At the helm of this evolution is Min Sun Kim ’18MBA, the executive director of EBI since January 2021. “We are embracing the themes of impact and connection as we navigate these shifts,” Kim explains. “EBI has a strong foundation, and we’re building on that to position the Center as a leader in community innovation, lifting up the good work happening across our community.”

A cornerstone of EBI’s strategic plan is its commitment to being a catalyst for nonprofit impact innovation. This vision extends beyond mere metrics, focusing on people and the holistic understanding of nonprofits and philanthropy. It involves nurturing community generosity and striving to achieve a shared vision for the social state we want to cultivate together. This approach goes deeper than simply tracking outputs and outcomes; it’s about shaping the future we all want to see.

EBI’s other strategic priorities include enhancing the membership experience, delivering top-tier adult learning opportunities, and improving operational efficiency through investment in technology and infrastructure. These initiatives include an updated, user-friendly website connected to a streamlined membership portal, making it easier for organizations to engage with EBI. Additionally, EBI has invested in its team, ensuring that its members possess the skills and expertise necessary to support and reflect the diverse needs of the nonprofit sector.

Since the onset of the pandemic, EBI has expanded its training capacity, piloted new training modalities, and sharpened its program offerings. Today, the Center employs a mix of synchronous and asynchronous hybrid learning models, has integrated coaching services, offers organizational assessments aligned with nonprofit business cycles, and has broadened its custom solutions beyond strategic planning and board training. “We must meet adult learners where they are,” says Kim. “By leaning into adult learning motivators and respecting the real-life knowledge and challenges of nonprofit and philanthropic professionals, we create educational experiences where people can truly learn from one another.”

With a clear strategic vision and unwavering commitment to excellence, EBI is empowering nonprofit organizations to scale their impact, adopt innovative practices, and challenge traditional business models. The Center’s focus on robust educational experiences, cutting-edge adult learning techniques, and technological advancements ensures that it remains at the forefront of nonprofit leadership—continuing to drive both economic value and social impact in alignment with Crummer’s mission.

To learn more about EBI’s offerings, visit their web page here.