Erin Crowther

February 1, 2017

A significant challenge in philanthropy today lies in the limited support for wildlife and

environmental conservation throughout the United States. Consistently reported among the lower

ranking recipients of public contributions for many years, the trend continued in 2016 with the

environment and animals receiving only three percent of all total gifts, as reported by Giving

USA (School of Philanthropy, 2016). With a decreased interest in conservation evidenced by the

current presidential administration, nonprofit organizations may find themselves required to fill

the gaps created by weakened governmental policies and protections.

After being sparked by a trip to a conservation camp in Kenya my freshman year of high

school, my passion for the conservation of wild things and wild places has only grown

throughout my undergraduate experience at the IU Lilly Family School of Philanthropy. Course

curricula encouraged the exploration of personal interests, allowing me to delve into the worlds

of the individuals, organizations, and grassroots groups who are approaching conservation

philanthropy through varying methods. Discovering the many ways in which one can advance

conservation has enhanced my desire to pursue the conservation cause through my professional

work.

A significant factor in the relative apathy concerning the protection of wildlife and the

environment is ignorance. The relationship between the conservation of this planet and the

ability of humanity to thrive for years to come is not sufficiently emphasized at home or in

schools for many, in spite of a solid scientific foundation. Many children grow up without an

environmental conscience, simply because that pattern has not been broken. In my professional

and personal life, I hope to address this challenge through education and advocacy. Education,

whether formal or informal, is the pipeline through which individuals develop their personal

interests, beliefs, and values. If, through school programming or the programs of conservation
 Crowther 2

nonprofits and foundations, children can incorporate the importance of wildlife and the

environment into their personal value sets, the eventual chain reaction will result in generations

of individuals committed to the conservation cause. Through my work, I want to kick-start this

reaction. Whether engaging donors in the mission of a conservation nonprofit such as The

Nature Conservancy or the Indianapolis Zoo, enlightening students on the topic of conservation,

or empowering them to establish clubs and organizations surrounding the cause, that reaction can

begin and continue for generations to come.

A masters degree in Philanthropic Studies will provide the education, resources, and

skills necessary to empower me to pursue the conservation cause as my personal and

professional mission. The application of best fundraising practices, nonprofit management skills,

and a broad understanding of philanthropic history and its role in the continued development of

communities across the globe, taught by leaders in the field of philanthropy, will allow me to

make real, measurable change in the state of commitment to conservation. The IU Lilly Family

School of Philanthropy offers its students a unique and invaluable perspective into the emerging

trends relevant to encouraging philanthropic action and support, preparing them for a future of

creating a more cohesive, balanced world. Expanding my undergraduate education with a

masters degree in Philanthropic Studies will better prepare me for the increasingly relevant task

of promoting wildlife and environmental conservation.

When the sector that supports our planets continued viability as a home for all of us

receives only 3% of our charitable giving, it is clear that change is required. I have confidence

that I can play a role in creating that change with a masters in Philanthropic Studies from the IU

Lilly Family School of Philanthropy.

 Crowther 3

References

IU Lilly Family School of Philanthropy. (2016). Giving USA 2016 Highlights (Issue brief No.

61). Giving USA Foundation.