The Institute

Recognizing the increasingly important role that the nonprofit sector plays in Canada's economy and social structure, Mount Royal University launched Canada's first Institute for Nonprofit Studies (INS). The Institute, launched in 2000, combines education and research tailored to meet the rapidly changing needs of the nonprofit sector.

An initial donation of $1 million from an anonymous donor provided start-up funding for the Institute and helped set its Canada-wide agenda. Immediately following the launch of the Institute, a new, four-year Bachelor of Applied Nonprofit Studies degree — also a national first — was created. The first class of students graduated in the spring of 2005. Starting in September 2009, A nonprofit specialization will be available within the Bachelor of Applied Business studies.

In January, 2009, the Charter for the Institute for Nonprofit Studies was officially approved for a five year term.

The Institute for Nonprofit Studies Institute works in close collaboration with the nonprofit community, business and other post-secondary institutions to ensure that what is undertaken is focused on the needs of the nonprofit sector. To achieve this, an advisory committee composed of members of the nonprofit community, businesses, foundations, post-secondary institutions, and Mount Royal faculty was created to help guide the Institute and its initiatives.

Members of the Institute for Nonprofit Studies Advisory Committee include:

Barbara Burggraf	Executive Director, Education Matters, Calgary
Sheila Carruthers	(Chair), Management Consultant, CSR Strategies Inc., Calgary
Wendelin Fraser	Dean, Bissett School of Business, Mount Royal, Calgary
Grant MacDonald	Associate Professor, College of Continuing Education, Dalhousie University, Halifax
Laurel Robbins	Program Director, Faculty of Continuing Education and Extension, Mount Royal, Calgary
Monica Samper	President, Imperial Oil Foundation, Calgary
Mario Siciliano	Executive Vice President, The Brenda Strafford Foundation, Calgary
Lynne Toupin	Executive Director, HR Council for the Voluntary/Non-profit Sector, Ottawa

Institute staff

Keith Seel	PhD, Director, Institute for Nonprofit Studies, Mount Royal, Calgary
Peter Elson	PhD, Senior Research Associate, Institute for Nonprofit Studies, Mount Royal, Calgary
Tracy Pfeifer	Recording Secretary, Institute for Nonprofit Studies, Mount Royal, Calgary