THE EXECUTIVE MASTER’S DEGREE IN STRATEGIC PHILANTHROPY: DEVELOPING SOCIAL IMPACT FROM TERRITORIES AND FAMILY BUSINESSES IS BORN AT CA’ FOSCARI

Open Day – December 10, 2025

VENICE – In a context marked by profound economic, social and environmental transformations, philanthropy is emerging as a strategic lever for social cohesion and sustainable growth of territories. With the aim of training professionals capable of driving change and social innovation, through the impetus of the philanthropic institution Fondazione Clarice, Ca’Foscari Challenge School andCa’ Foscari University Venice, in collaboration with the Center for Philanthropy at the University of Geneva are launching the Level I Executive Master’s in Strategic Philanthropy.

The course, which is unique in Italy, is aimed at managers, consultants, entrepreneurs, third-sector workers and public officials who wish to acquire advanced skills in the design and management of philanthropic actions as well as recent graduates interested in pursuing a career in this field.

“Strategic philanthropy today, no longer concerns only banking foundations or charitable organizations created by some large corporations, but also family businesses, of which our territory has always been characterized,” explains the Director of the Master’s program, Prof. Giancarlo Corò. “Special attention, in the Master’s program, is in fact dedicated to the role of family businesses, protagonists in the construction of solid ties with local communities and in the creation of foundations capable of generating social value. The program offers an interdisciplinary training that integrates economics, law and management of nonprofits, sustainable finance and fundraising, artificial intelligence applied to philanthropy, family philanthropy and legacy management, up to “communication and culture of giving always maintaining a strategic approach.”

“The curriculum develops both soft skills, such as critical thinking, and technical skills in data analysis and interpretation, which are crucial for sound evidence-based decisions,” points out Prof. Giuseppe Ugazio of the Center for Philanthropy at the University of Geneva. “It addresses the complexity of philanthropic projects by providing advanced theory of change models, tools for defining KPIs, and measurement methodologies, including artificial intelligence-based techniques such as natural language processing.”

Thanks to the partnership between these different entities, the Master’s degree expresses a valuable pool of expertise in which we find the rigor and depth of academic research combined with the tools, methodologies and experience of high-profile experts.

“We are targeting professionals who wish to refine their preparation and find advanced methodologies, new knowledge, networks in the master’s program, but also young people who want to build their careers in the field of social innovation or philanthropic institutions with a comprehensive preparation,” stresses Roberta Lesini, Executive Director of Ca’ Foscari Challenge School. “Investing in training to strengthen the human infrastructure of the territory with skills that are fundamental to support the development of a complex and dynamic socio-economic fabric at the center of major transformations.”

Agrees Orietta Miotto Botter, “As president of Clarice Foundation, I would like to emphasize the strong desire to propose this Master’s degree, which, from our point of view, responds to the need in Italy and Europe for a path that combines rigor on the third sector and philanthropy, compatibility with professional activity and a cultural vision capable of connecting past and future. Clarice Foundation wishes to concretely support young people who want to pursue a career in this field by providing 6 scholarships covering 50 percent of the tuition fee.”

With a blended structure (in-person and online classes), the master’s program will include 304 hours of teaching activities and 250 hours of internship or project work, for a total of 64 undergraduate credits (CFUs). Classes will be held two weekends a month, Thursday mornings, full-time Fridays and Saturday mornings, from March 2026 to March 2027. The application deadline is February 16, 2026.

Open Day – December 10, 2025

For those who wish to learn more, the appointment is for Wednesday, December 10, with an open day dedicated to presenting the Master’s program and meeting with the teaching team and partners.

For information
0412346853
master.challengeschool@unive.it
https://www.cafoscarichallengeschool.it/master/filantropia-strategica-sviluppare-impatto-sociale-a-partire-dai-territori-e-dalle-imprese-familiari/

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