Foundation commits $2.2 mill for efforts at Hopkins-Nanjing

Tuesday, April 19, 2011

The Hassenfeld Family Foundation has committed $2.2 million to the Johns Hopkins University Paul H. Nitze School of Advanced International Studies to establish a social enterprise competition and fellowships at the Hopkins-Nanjing Center for Chinese and American Studies in China.

The Hassenfeld Social Enterprise Fund will enable Chinese, American and other international graduate students to work together to develop real-world outcomes through innovative projects, while the Hassenfeld Fellowships will ensure that the center attracts the best candidates for its two-year master’s degree program awarded jointly by SAIS and Nanjing University.

“We are not only pleased but so proud of our partners at SAIS for having the vision to collaborate on this new innovative program,” said Alan Hassenfeld. “Hopefully through this initiative we will bring more hands-on understanding of the global world we now inhabit.”

University President Ronald J. Daniels said, “We are grateful for the steadfast and visionary support of the Hassenfeld family, a vital partner in Johns Hopkins’ pioneering joint venture in China.”

SAIS Dean Jessica P. Einhorn added, “This thoughtful gift engages our student community in putting their learning to practice, while also providing much-needed support for our core requirement for financial aid.”

The Hassenfeld Social Enterprise Fund will support an annual competition at the center to identify a project valued for its social impact and innovation, its potential to make a lasting contribution to social outcomes and its promise for nurturing a sense of community between Chinese and international members of the Hopkins-Nanjing Center. A committee will select a team comprising Chinese and international students who propose an innovative and sustainable project with concrete deliverables to address a social need or challenge in China that helps foster community entrepreneurship. As part of the project, the center plans to invite leading social entrepreneurs and social enterprise experts to conduct seminars for students.

Source: The JHU Gazette (link opens in a new window)