SAN DIEGO, CA--(Marketwired - Jan 7, 2014) -  National University, California's second-largest private, nonprofit university, announced today that renowned philanthropist and businessman T. Denny Sanford has provided an inaugural gift for the creation of the Sanford Education Center scheduled to open in San Diego in the fall of 2014.

The Sanford Education Center will be the home of the Cause Leadership Institute for nonprofit leaders and Sanford Education Programs. The Center's mission is to effect positive change through the development of nonprofit leaders and teachers through the offering of inspirational and impactful programs that meet 21st century global needs. This generous gift is the first of its kind for National University.

"I am very excited about empowering people to follow their passions to make a greater impact on society," said Mr. Sanford. "National University is a leader in innovative programming, community partnerships and educating California's teachers. It is the perfect home for the Sanford Education Center." 

The Cause Leadership Institute will offer its Presentation Program™ to existing and future nonprofit leaders through summits, certificates, master's, and Ph.D. programs in nonprofit leadership. The Institute will also house the Presentation Program Laboratory, which will teach state-of-the-art relationship building fundraising techniques for nonprofit fundraisers. Nonprofit organizations employ the third-largest workforce nationally, with 44 percent new positions in the upcoming year.*

The Sanford Education programs will expand upon the Sanford Inspire program at Arizona State University, which integrates Teach for America principles into its curriculum. The Sanford Education programs will also incorporate the Sanford Harmony program designed to make a difference in how Pre-K through 6th grade boys and girls think about and treat each other.

National University's Sanford Education programs are estimated to serve more than 50,000 teachers, and as a result, impact more than 650,000 K-12 students by their fifth year of operation. The Cause Leadership programs are estimated to serve more than 4,300 members of the nonprofit community over the next five years.

"Denny Sanford is one of the world's great philanthropists, and everyone affiliated with National University is thrilled by his decision to fund the Sanford Education Center," said National University President and Chancellor of the National University System, Dr. Michael R. Cunningham. "As a nonprofit university, we are committed to serving the public good, and what better way than by educating and supporting professionals dedicated to building a better tomorrow."

Mr. Sanford is committed to his philosophy of "Aspire to inspire before you expire" and has already surpassed the billion-dollar mark in philanthropic giving. Mr. Sanford will monitor the Sanford Education Center's progress and will see firsthand the impact the Center has in San Diego and around the world.

For more information about the Sanford Education Center and National University, visit www.nu.edu.

* According to recent studies by John Hopkins University and Nonprofit HR Solutions.

About National University
 Founded in 1971, National University is the second-largest private, nonprofit institution of higher education in California. With 30,000 students and more than 140,000 alumni, National University is the flagship institution of the National University System. National University is dedicated to making lifelong learning opportunities accessible, challenging, and relevant to a diverse population of students. Five schools and one college -- the College of Letters and Sciences; the School of Business and Management; the School of Education; the School of Engineering, Technology and Media; the School of Health and Human Services; and the School of Professional Studies -- offer 133 graduate and undergraduate degrees and 23 teacher credentials. Programs are offered at more than 45 locations throughout California and across the nation, and are also available online. National University is headquartered in La Jolla, California. To learn more, visit www.nu.edu.