The international Nu Lambda Mu Nonprofit Honor Society was established in 2012 by the Nonprofit Academic Centers Council (NACC) to recognize graduate students dedicated to the study of nonprofit management, philanthropy, and social entrepreneurship and enterprise. Its mission is to advance the study of nonprofit organizations and their function in society and to promote scholarly achievement among those who engage in these academic pursuits. In 2018, the NACC Board amended its guidelines to include a category for qualified undergraduate students.
Nu Lambda Mu seeks to recognize those who, as part of a degree or certificate program, have excelled in coursework and as a leader to others. By encouraging rigorous study in the field of public serving organizations, the Nu Lambda Mu Honor Society promotes the professionalization and ethical conduct of all who pursue careers of service.
Nu Lambda Mu is a special national honor society for undergraduate and graduate students specifically in nonprofit programs. Current students, as well as degreed alumni, are eligible for this honor society if they have achieved the criteria established for GPA minimum requirements and completion of coursework. Once an individual is inducted into Nu Lambda Mu, he or she is a member for life. An undergraduate student/alumnus admitted may also apply in subsequent years for the graduate level distinction if they meet qualifications.
In its first year of existence Nu Lambda Mu introduced inductees from: Baruch College, Bay Path College, DePaul University, Grand Valley State University, Indiana University- Bloomington, Indiana University, Purdue University-Indianapolis, North Park University, Regis University, Seattle University, Texas A&M University, University of Delaware, University of Missouri-St. Louis, University of Notre Dame, University of Oregon, University of San Francisco, University of Southern California and University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. It is important to note that the inaugural class of inductees at Arizona State University was also the largest class of any of the other Universities for Fall of 2014.