Los Angeles Couple Gives $5-Million for Nonprofit-Management Education

How much: $5-million

Who got it: The School of Jewish Nonprofit Management at Hebrew Union College- Jewish Institute of Religion, in Los Angeles; the school will be renamed for the donors.

Who gave it: Marcie and Howard Zelikow. Mr. Zelikow is a partner at the investment firm Kayne Anderson Capital Advisors.

Where the money will go: To the school’s endowment. The gift will enable the school to broaden the reach of its nonprofit-management education curriculum beyond the Los Angeles area.
Donors’ connection to the school: Both Zelikows have audited courses at the college and have long ties to Jewish groups.

Why the donors gave: The couple prefers to donate to people and programs, rather than buildings, says Ms. Zelikow. “That’s where we think the hard work needs to be done,” she says. The donors previously gave a total of $1.2-million to the school. Their intent for the new gift is to develop the next generation of Jewish nonprofit leaders and ensure that rabbis and cantors, who often take on leadership roles, have management training. “It’s very important that people who run nonprofit organizations run them well,” says Mr. Zelikow.