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Community Representation Among Nonprofit Leadership: Why Should The Board Reflect Those Whom It Serves?, William N. Derwin

Master's Projects and Capstones

Nonprofits, as vehicles for the delivery of essential community services, are integral to the health and prosperity of their communities. But many nonprofit leaders do not represent or adequately understand the community members whom their organizations serve. This study, through a literature review and a qualitative analysis of several expert interviews, evaluates the significance of community representation among nonprofit leadership, the best practices for improving community representation, and the relationship between a nonprofit’s community ties and the outcomes of its grant applications. As the results of the study indicate, it is essential for nonprofit leaders to understand their communities; any …