Public Management Education Propels Philanthropic Success

Published October 2, 2024

Travers Oliver, a Philadelphia resident and 2022 graduate of Johns Hopkins University’s online MA in Public Management program, credits his education with empowering him to make a significant impact in the charitable sector.

With a passion for philanthropy, Oliver has helped facilitate over $13 billion in non-profit funding, a feat he attributes to the skills and knowledge he gained during his studies at Hopkins.

“The coursework at Hopkins really fueled my passion for philanthropy,” Oliver said. “It equipped me with the skills necessary to conduct public policy analysis and understand its impact on the charitable sector.”

Currently serving as a Grants and Monitoring Officer at Founders Pledge, Oliver provides subject-matter expertise in U.S., U.K., and German grantmaking for over 2,000 tech startup founders from over 40 countries.

“The skills I formed at Hopkins are skills that I use on a daily basis,” he added.

Oliver’s journey at Johns Hopkins was unique, as he pursued his education remotely during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Hopkins AAP was already a leader in remote learning,” Oliver said, highlighting the program’s established reputation for excellence in online education, which allowed him to continue his studies uninterrupted.

In addition to his professional work, Oliver is a member of Catalyst 2030, where he assists NGOs, social enterprises, and other social change innovators in achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. He also serves as an advisor to various national and local non-profit organizations.

Oliver’s contributions to the charitable sector and his dedication to philanthropy have not gone unnoticed. He has received three Certificates of Special Congressional Recognition and a Certificate of Special Recognition from the State of Florida. He was also recently named a recipient of the 30 Under 30 University of Central Florida alumni award for 2024.

Reflecting on his accomplishments, Oliver remains committed to leveraging his Hopkins education to continue making a difference.

“The skills I developed at Hopkins are integral to my work today, and I am grateful for the opportunity to apply them in a way that drives meaningful change,” he said.