Should I pursue a Masters in Philanthropy?

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Turning to the wisdom of Mumsnet for some advice...

I am doing fairly well as a Fundraiser for a small charity (less than £1M turnover) and live in NI. I left school at 16 and went straight out to work with good GCSE results but no more. I started working in finance and completed the AAT qualification and then began studying ACCA (so a part qual accountant).

Anywayyy... fell into the charity sector 14 years ago and have worked my way up to a senior level. I’ve discovered a distance learning Masters In Philanthropy that I know of people with no degrees (but tonnes of varied experience in the charity sector) who are now on the course.

For context: single mum to 7 yr old DS, fairly sure the work isnt beyond me, no option for fees to be paid by work. Currently wfh 3 days a week which should increase next year. Fees would be manageable but any tips on grants gratefully received!! The Uni is in Kent and I live in NI.

How is a Masters seen by an employer? Do you think it would be worth doing?

Do you need it - and what will it add to your already accomplished CV? It sounds as if you're doing really well - is there a position you wish to apply for that needs a masters?

So as not to drip feed, costs are £4050 per year. 2 years, part time

No not necessarily but I think the next step for me would be more than senior management. A lot of those positions require something a bit ‘more’ iykwim? And it seems a way to gain a degree in a less... painful?.. way than normal. Tho I’m sure it will be tough!

Pre- Covid probably no, wouldn’t necessarily help you. Post-Covid - yes. Lots of graduates will be doing masters as there are no jobs and they don’t want gaps in their cv’s. You are single mum to a 7 year old who will be an adult and doing his own thing in a heartbeat. Having a masters will serve you well in the future . Plus it sounds like you would really enjoy it!! Good luck.

It's a part time course so possible to fit in around work and child. Is it required for your chosen career path? Think about how it will benefit you.
I just checked the website as it sounds really interesting and they will in limited circumstances give places to people without a degree. So it's probably a better choice than courses which would require an access course and degree

Charity Director here, not sure to be honest- I think experience counts for a lot (although I do have a degree and post grad). If you want to stay in fundraising might be ok, but for general charity management probably better sector specific qualifications such as social work/ health and social care.

Thanks so much everyone. I’m heading up a department on my own but not managing staff, and its Fundraising & Development work. I’ve had a broad range of experience in working in schools, events, running training programmes but I would like to make Head of Fundraising/a senior development role in the next 5-7 years. I’m blessed with decent free childcare (though always prepped for that to change, if this pandemic shows anything!) and the driving force is being a great example to my son and have a bloody comfy retirement!

I also really love a challenge.

I agree that it's only worth it if it will give your CV a boost.

I decided a while ago that I wanted to do a PhD but I needed a postgrad degree. I looked at doing an MBA but it was thousands of pounds more than an MSc in Business Management so I decided against it because I could (and did) get a PhD scholarship with the latter.

I did my Masters while working full time and it was brutal so make sure you really weigh up the pros and cons.

missmarks can I ask; is it more than you would you consider a Masters in Philanthropy focused on Fundraising at first glance? That’s really interesting. It covers volunteering, charity management... I can see how something broader would cover a lot more areas though.

Who is the provider though? Some online degrees are not worth the paper they are printed from your own printer from.

Look at the career development courses from the Institute of Fundraising.

Also, look at moving to a bigger charity. Speaking from experience, that can be both a real growth moment in your career and look well on your CV. (Ex Fundraising Director)

The big question is would you be doing it for the benefit of yourself or someone else?

I think you would be better off pursuing further accountancy qualifications/become a fully qualified accountant. You can then apply for finance director roles for larger charities but also have a flexible vocational qualification that you can use anywhere. You could even set up your own charity.

Can you link to the course description? I'm a trustee for two smaller charities and would look for proven experience in bid writing, managing volunteers etc. Also, a real understanding of the area we work in, so qualifications or experience in social justice issues.

In itself, the degree title sounds a bit naff, it sounds more suited to someone advising wealthy people how to give in a tax efficient way!

Not sure personally.

I think if you were looking to move up to more senior management roles you would potentially be better off taking an MBA or some kind of qualification in marketing - or as someone else said, finishing your accountancy training.

That I think would set you up more broadly for leadership roles both in and out of the charity sector.

I don't know the course content of the MA in Philanthropy, but just by name alone it sounds a bit fluffy - so may not be taken as seriously as a more recognised business qualification. That said I don't work in the charity sector so it could be something very well known and respected in that field 🤷‍♀️

So I'm debating doing a MBA and I don't actually "need" it I just feel I'd like a challenge and enjoy learning.

My concern was "am I too old" and someone said to me in two years you'll be 47.. and I said yes, and she said so you'll be 47 regardless, so why not just be 47 with a MBA.

I think just do it, you can afford the fees, you'll enjoy the challenge, you are already accomplished, it may give you confidence you need in the further to apply for bigger roles , it gives you that choice.

It almost a case of why wouldn't you do it!

www.kent.ac.uk/courses/postgraduate/769/philanthropic-studies

Here is a link to the course at the University of Kent.

fuzzypuffling I have indeed. The Certificate looks worthwhile and is just under £2k I think and specific to fundraising.. I wonder if I moved up in Management would it seem broad enough? I agree that I may need to look at that in a years’ time. Where I live in NI, options are severay limited (unless there is now an upsurge in WFH which I would love to see)

lightsabre
This is probably what’s thrown me so much. I could take Accountancy modules easy enough but need another 2 years FT work experience (which I could shift and do).

elessar thank you. I also wonder if Marketing, business, leadership or finance would give me broader options too. Fundraising requires some niche experience and I would love to do it really well for 3-4 years then move into management and I do find Finance easy.

Does the title make it sound like bit of a mickey mouse MA?

@CertainGecko Brilliant!

Yes the title does sound a bit naff . I don’t think many employers value Masters that much, unless it’s in a highly specialised field. Certainly doesn’t sound like it’s necessary if you want to advance in your current career.
However if you want to do it just for the fun of an intellectual challenge then go for it.I have a Masters but it hasn’t made a jot of difference to my career but then again I didn’t expect it to. So enjoy it, but don’t be one of those people who say “ but I have a Masters!” when you get a knock back!

Have you looked at CASS Business School, Centre for Charity Effectiveness. You could do Marketing and Fundraising but also cover Charity Finance, volunteer Mgt, Philanthropy etc. Could even get ICAEW Charity Finance Diploma and the MSc at same time.