Skip to main content
    Admissions Overview
    Find all the information you need about applying to our undergraduate and graduate degree programs. Start your application to Willamette here.
Pre-College Programs
Admitted Students
Enrolling Students
New Student Orientation
    Cost & Aid Overview
    Get the latest information about tuition costs and financial aid opportunities available to Willamette students.
Tuition & Fees
    Academics Overview
    Learn more about our academic programs – from courses and faculty to unique opportunities you won’t find anywhere else.
All Programs and Degrees
Advising Resources
Library
    Life on Campus Overview
    Get a feel for life at Willamette. Learn more about Salem, our campus culture, and how we foster a sense of community.
Learning in the Pacific Northwest
Athletics
Diversity at Willamette
Health and Wellness
Housing and Dining
Arts
Campus Recreation
Events
Commencement
Safety
    Our Stories
    We’re proud of the difference our students and alumni are making. Dive into the stories of how they’re leading in their fields and transforming knowledge into meaningful action.
Athletics
Arts
Big Data
Climate Change
Democratic Institutions
Interdisciplinary Studies
Regional Impact
Request Info Visit Apply Give
About News Events Alumni Parents Athletics The Arts Academic Calendar

Gain Social Impact Investing Experience

The Philanthropic investment course is a one-of-a-kind experience in grant management. Learn how to impact communities in a strategic and meaningful way.

Community Impact Through Philanthropic Investment

The Willamette MBA program puts hands-on learning opportunities at the forefront of education. Students have the unique opportunity to experience grant funding and learn how to provide social programs for the community. Through the Philanthropic Investment for Community Impact course, students will manage a micro-organization that awards grants to local non-profit organizations that impact the community.

Students establish the values, mission, and priorities of their new micro-organization. They collectively design and implement processes and channels for collecting and evaluating proposals submitted by non-profit organizations. In order to choose the right opportunity, students assess the financial returns and community impact of the organizations and their proposals.

Students work with an Advisory Board and gain valuable management experience that applies to all industries and sectors. This MBA philanthropy course provides practical experience to help students excel in the job market. Use real money to address social issues within the United States.

Gain experience in the growing world of impact investing and social enterprises.

MBA grad and her family at Commencement.

An MBA for Social Impact

When you're searching for the best MBA for social impact, make sure to focus on programs that provide real-world experience. While a classroom education is important, it's hard to provide social innovation without action.

At Willamette, we provide unique experiential learning opportunities through our full-time MBA program. We turn knowledge into action. It starts with our location; just steps away from the State Capitol, students can develop a network with those who handle grants. Team up with faculty members and assess the net impact of policies.

Willamette is one of only two MBA programs in the world to achieve dual accreditation in both Business and Public Administration. No matter what courses you take, you'll gain exposure to private and non-profit points of view.

This philanthropic investment course can provide a first look into a variety of career paths. Get a better understanding of what a grant manager does or even gain exposure to becoming a social impact consultant. You can also prepare for careers as a nonprofit program director, a community development specialist, a corporate social responsibility manager, or even a foundation program officer.

Consider a pathway to becoming a policy analyst in social impact, an impact investment analyst, or a social entrepreneur. This course provides a well-rounded experience that can help you provide a positive community impact.

Our MBA Career Management service can help you develop the right network for your long-term career goals. We have a positive brand awareness with public and non-profit organizations, as well as top-tier businesses in the area. Many of our graduates have secured jobs at world-renowned companies and organizations.

Willamette has campuses in Portland and Salem, both locations offering different opportunities. Our ECCC program is only offered on our Salem campus. Having two locations can add additional value. It expands the connections and networking possibilities for students. Take advantage of events and connections on both campuses to make the most of your graduate degree.

Looking to make an impact on a global scale? Willamette offers an MBA study abroad program. Travel to a different country and learn more about business from an international perspective. You can learn more about different countries and even apply your learnings to make a difference.

Our MBA Program

No matter what you're interested in, we offer a variety of MBA concentrations to help you gain the right skill set. For students who are interested in our philanthropic investment course and social impact investing, consider these MBA paths:

  • Public & Not-for-Profit Management: This specialization prepares students for leadership roles in the nonprofit sector. For those looking to manage organizations with a social impact mission, this program is a great fit for their career goals.
  • Entrepreneurship: Interested in starting a social enterprise? Eager to develop solutions to community challenges? Our MBA in entrepreneurship can help combine innovation with social change.
  • Finance: Focus on managing grants and learn more about impact investment funds. Learn how to better assess the financial viability and impact of nonprofit organizations through our finance MBA.

You don't have to focus on the concentrations above to find value through this social impact investing opportunity. Willamette delivers a holistic MBA program so that students can explore any program or course. 

Willamette University

Atkinson Graduate School of Management