The Center for Impact Finance at the UNH Carsey School of Public Policy

What The Center for Impact Finance at the UNH Carsey School of Public Policy does

The Center for Impact Finance at the UNH Carsey School of Public Policy is a research and graduate education unit within the University of New Hampshire's public university system. Its core function has historically been to advance community development finance research and training alongside a broader portfolio of public policy work. The unit sits within the Carsey School, which delivers four master's degree programs — Master in Community Development (MCD), Master of Global Conflict and Human Security (GCHS), Master of Public Administration (MPA), and Master in Public Policy (MPP) — with accelerated and Executive-format variants for mid-career professionals, plus a graduate certificate in Conflict and Policy Analysis and a continuing education catalog. Research output flows through three remaining in-house centers (Center for Demography, Center for Engaged Communities/EnCo, and Center for Social Policy in Practice/SPiP) and via public engagement programming such as the monthly Carsey Policy Hour, the Civic Health Index, and the FedGovSpend Explorer.

The business model is an academic hybrid with three revenue streams: tuition from graduate and executive programs (priced at $800-$880 per credit hour, translating to $19,500-$35,200 per master's degree depending on residency and program), research grants and contracts from foundations and government agencies (Annie E. Casey Foundation, Carnegie Corporation, National Science Foundation, U.S. Departments of Health and Human Services, Agriculture, and Education, NH Charitable Foundation, JPMorgan Chase), and private donations/gifts to the School. Programs are delivered primarily online and asynchronously for the MCD, MPA, GCHS, and Executive tracks, with the MPP delivered in-person at the Durham campus and including a Washington, D.C. colloquium. The Center for Impact Finance itself relocated its research and training operations to the Lincoln Institute of Land Policy, with CIF founder Michael Swack retained as a Senior Fellow and MCD faculty member.

Name

The Center for Impact Finance at the UNH Carsey School of Public Policy

Legal name

University of New Hampshire Carsey School of Public Policy

Website

https://carsey.unh.edu

Company type

Private

Founded year

2002

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Public Policy Education and Research

NAICS

Executive, Legislative, and Other General Government Support (921), Administration of Education Programs (923110), Public Finance Activities (92113)

SIC

Investment Advice (6282), International Affairs (9721)

akta.pro primary industry

Impact Investing & Social Finance (Funds, CDFIs, Microfinance) (BPAGALAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Sustainable Private Markets (Impact PE/VC, Private Credit, Infrastructure) (FSAAALAG), Education Economics, Finance & Funding Policy Research (EDADADAE), Impact Investment & Social Finance Programs (BPADAOAJ)

Keywords

• Public policy education
• Policy research
• Graduate degree programs
• Community development
• Impact finance research

Headquarters

HQ city

Durham

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Graduate Education Programs: Revenue generated from tuition for master's degree programs including Master in Community Development (MCD), Master of Public Administration (MPA), Master in Public Policy (MPP), and Master of Global Conflict and Human Security (GCHS).
2. Research Grants and Contracts: Funding from foundations, government agencies, and contracts for research projects and policy analysis work.
3. Private Donations and Gifts: Contributions from individual donors, corporate donors, and foundation gifts to support the school's mission and programs.

Pricing tiers

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

The Center for Impact Finance at the UNH Carsey School of Public Policy is an academic research and policy education institution that offers graduate master's degree programs in public policy, public administration, community development, and global conflict/human security. It conducts applied policy research through dedicated research centers and produces policy briefs, demographic analyses, and civic engagement tools for policymakers, government agencies, nonprofits, and foundations.

Product overview

The Center for Impact Finance at the UNH Carsey School of Public Policy is an academic research institution offering a portfolio of graduate degree programs, research centers, and public engagement initiatives. The core academic offerings include four master's degree programs (MCD, GCHS, MPA, and MPP) available in online and in-person formats, with executive and accelerated options for qualified students. Research activities are conducted through three centers: the Center for Demography, Center for Engaged Communities, and Center for Social Policy in Practice. The institution also provides continuing education courses, fellowship programs, and hosts public events including the monthly Carsey Policy Hour. Research tools such as the Civic Health Index and FedGovSpend Explorer support policy analysis. Note: The Center for Impact Finance (CIF) has moved its research and training operations to the Lincoln Institute of Land Policy as of June 2026.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• NH Listens: Carsey's civic engagement initiative that organizes facilitator trainings, workshops, community discussions, and keeps pulse on New Hampshire community issues
• Changemaker Collaborative
• Carsey Policy Hour

Products and services

• Master in Community Development (MCD) An online master's degree program teaching the basis of community engagement and sustainable development practices. The program consists of 12 courses (36 credits) and can be completed in 14 months. Accelerated and Executive options are available.
• Master of Global Conflict and Human Security (GCHS) An online master's degree program teaching skills in international development policy and practice to build resilient societies. The program consists of 10 courses (30 credits) and can be completed in 12 months. Accelerated options are available.
• Master of Public Administration (MPA) A 36-credit, fully online and asynchronous graduate degree covering concepts from management, public policy, budgeting, and planning, providing skills needed to run an organization. An Executive version at 30 credits is available for professionals with 5+ years of experience.
• Master in Public Policy (MPP) An in-person master's degree program (14 courses, 40 credits, 16 months) where students engage in meetings in Washington, DC with key policymakers, advocacy groups, and more while gaining practical experience.
• Executive Master's in Community Development (Executive MCD) A 100% online executive master's program (10 courses, 12 months) that prepares students for leadership roles in the community development sector across fields of housing, finance, sustainability, and more. Designed for mid-career professionals with at least 5 years of relevant experience.
• Executive Master's of Public Administration (Executive MPA) A widely recognized executive MPA program giving students the skillset and credentials needed to advance their public service careers. Designed for mid-career professionals with at least 5 years of relevant experience.
• Graduate Certificate in Conflict and Policy Analysis A fully online, four-course graduate certificate program examining how policy, governance systems, and institutional structures shape conflict dynamics in global contexts. Credits earned can be applied toward the Master of Science in Global Conflict and Human Security.
• Continuing Education Courses Graduate-level courses available to anyone who wants to advance their learning, including courses such as Policy and Program Evaluation (PA 804), Public Safety and Community Development (DPP 962), Managing Conflict and Change (PA 897), Foundations and Theories of Public Administration (PA 800), Human Resource Management (PA 813), and Community Development Finance (DPP 961).
• Changemaker Collaborative Programs Programs including Semester in the City (fellowship for hands-on internships in the social sector), NH Social Innovation Challenge (competitions for innovative business ideas), and Sustainability Fellowships. The Collaborative supports the next generation of leaders through real-world experiences while helping advance sustainability initiatives.
• Carsey Fellowships Fellowship opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students providing stipends between $1,000 and $6,500 based on hours committed. Includes Judge William W. Treat Fellowship, Governor John G. Winant Fellowship, Public Policy Fellowships, Nordblom Fellowship, and S. Melvin Rines Fellowship.
• Civic Health Index A tool that measures civic health referring to ways community members engage in activities to solve public issues. Takes stock of civic well-being using specific indicators.
• FedGovSpend Explorer An application and webpage outlining federal spending with explanations and comparisons using data from the Office of Management and Budget and the Congressional Budget Office.

Quantifiable outcome

• 100% of students engage with regional and national leaders
• +2 more outcomes

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major, regional and national.

• Lincoln Institute of Land PolicycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Center for Impact Finance (CIF) moved its research and training operations to the Lincoln Institute of Land Policy. CIF research publications developed before June 1, 2026, remain available on Carsey's publications page. Professor Michael Swack, CIF Founder, remains as a Senior Fellow at Carsey and continues teaching for the Community Development master's degree program.
• Carsey School and Paul College (UNH)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFounding partners of the Changemaker Collaborative, which supports students and community partners in sustainability initiatives through real-world experiences and tools of public policy and business.
• UNH Sustainability InstitutemajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoined the Changemaker Collaborative partnership in 2019, reflecting the Collaborative's emphasis on helping students discover solutions to society's most pressing sustainability challenges.
• Bureau of Education and Training (BET)regionalStrategic or Co-development PartnerBET offers continuing professional development for public employees of New Hampshire including the Certified Public Manager program, which serves as a springboard to Carsey's Executive MPA program.
• New Hampshire Association of Counties (NHAC)regionalStrategic or Co-development PartnerState-wide association representing interests of county government including elected commissioners, officials, and professionals who run county government across ten New Hampshire counties.
• New Hampshire Municipal AssociationregionalStrategic or Co-development PartnerNon-profit, non-partisan membership association working to strengthen New Hampshire cities and towns through education, training, advocacy and legal services.
• New England Municipal Sustainability (NEMS) NetworkregionalStrategic or Co-development PartnerConsortium of New England cities and towns collaborating to build sustainable communities, recognized member of Urban Sustainability Directors Network (USDN).
• Semester in the City ProgrammajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFellowship program offering semester-long internships in the social sector. Carsey School offers $5,000 education award to graduates pursuing master's degrees and internship waivers for MPP students.
• NH Social Venture Innovation ChallengeregionalStrategic or Co-development PartnerAnnual challenge inviting students to identify social, environmental or economic issues and develop innovative business-oriented solutions. Co-hosted by Carsey School.
• Sustainability FellowshipsregionalStrategic or Co-development PartnerPairs exceptional undergraduate students and post-baccalaureates with municipal, educational, corporate, and non-profit partners for summer sustainability projects.
• Federal Reserve Bank of New YorknationalStrategic or Co-development PartnerMichael Swack, CIF Founder, earned Visiting Scholar title at the Federal Reserve Bank of New York.
• Enterprise Community PartnersnationalStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational organization working to create opportunity for affordable housing and community development.
• Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC)nationalStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational nonprofit supporting community development corporations and neighborhood revitalization.
• NeighborWorks AmericanationalStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational nonprofit creating affordable housing and community development opportunities.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Urban Institute: Nonprofit research organization producing evidence-based insights on social policy, community development, and economic mobility - directly comparable to Carsey's Center for Social Policy in Practice (SPiP) and broader research portfolio on vulnerable communities.
• RAND Corporation: Policy research organization combining rigorous research with graduate-level training (RAND Pardee Graduate School). Comparable as a hybrid research-and-education institution producing policy briefs and convening across policy domains.
• Harvard Kennedy School: Premier public policy graduate school offering MPA, MPP, and executive education alongside major research centers. Comparable product set (MPA/MPP/executive programs) and direct competitor for faculty, students, and foundation funding.
• Princeton School of Public and International Affairs: Top-tier public policy school offering MPA and MPP with applied policy research and Washington policy engagement. Comparable academic model, including in-person MPP with Washington exposure like Carsey's DC Colloquium.
• Brookings Institution: Major public policy think tank offering graduate-level policy education (Brookings Executive Education), impact-oriented research programs, and convening across policy fields. Comparable to Carsey as a research-and-education hybrid serving policymakers and funders, though at vastly larger scale.

Direct peers

• LBJ School of Public Affairs (UT Austin): Public university graduate school of public policy offering MPA, MPP, and executive education with a strong applied research portfolio. Directly comparable to Carsey in academic program structure (MPA, MPP) and research center model.
• Lincoln Institute of Land Policy: Now the host institution for the Center for Impact Finance after its 2026 relocation. Directly comparable as a research and training organization in land, housing, and community development finance - the CIF team, intellectual property, and partner relationships have migrated here.
• Milano School of Policy, Management, and Environment (The New School): University-based graduate school offering MPA, MS, and executive programs in public and urban policy with strong civic engagement focus. Comparable in program structure, urban/community development emphasis, and applied practitioner faculty.
• Tisch College of Civic Life (Tufts University): University-based civic research and engagement center comparable to the Center for Engaged Communities (EnCo) and NH Listens sub-brand. Similar mission of connecting academic research with civic engagement and community practice.

Others

• Opportunity Finance Network: National CDFI industry association providing training, research, and capacity-building for impact finance institutions. Directly comparable to the Center for Impact Finance's mission to grow and professionalize the CDFI and community development finance field.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/CarseySchool
• YouTubeyoutube.com/c/CarseySchoolUNH
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/center-for-impact-finance

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Subsidiaries4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about The Center for Impact Finance at the UNH Carsey School of Public Policy