We are pleased to announce that the David M. Underwood chapter of the Nonprofit Leadership Alliance (NLA) formerly American Humanics, at the Graduate College of Social Work has received an anonymous gift of $100,000.

Currently NLA, which will celebrate its 20^th anniversary in 2013, is engaged in a campaign to build a $2 million dollar endowed fund that will provide operating funds for the UH NLA chapter in perpetuity. 

The donor, who has asked not to be named, cited the important role that the Underwood Chapter of NLA plays for the greater Houston community as key to the decision to make their first ever gift to the NLA program. (Previously, the donor has given to the GCSW and other UH entities.)

NLA is an innovative course of study which trains baccalaureate and post baccalaureate students for entry level management for Houston’s non-profit sector. Through NLA, a certificate program, students earn the CNP, or Certified Non-profit Professional, credential upon completion. These students, whether serving as interns or staff for the non-profit sector, achieve a multiplier effect, meaning that trained students with passion to make a difference achieve results which are many times a multiple of the dollars invested to support the program.

In other recent news, NLA received notice from the Houston Endowment that they have been approved for a $130,000 grant to be paid over a three year period. The Houston Endowment funds will be used to underwrite operating expenses and are vital to NLA and its Leadership Circle in support of the $2 million dollar endowment campaign.

With these funds for operations, NLA will be able to focus its efforts on building community awareness of this important program.   In addition to the Houston Endowment operations grants, NLA has received gifts toward its endowment exceeding $171,250 bringing the NLA endowment total to just under $1,200,000.

We are grateful for the $100,000 anonymous gift and for all of the endowed and operations support we have received for this important educational program. 

On behalf of the NLA and GCSW students, faculty and staff, we thank you!