Digital Commons Network^™

Communicating The Need For Continued Funding To Non-Profit Stakeholders: The Impact Of Education On School-Aged Girls In Senegal, Allison Roehl

Doctor of Occupational Therapy Doctoral Projects

Where would you be without an education? A safe place to call home? Or rather, where do you want your education to take you? These questions were asked to female students in Tambacounda, Senegal upon receiving funding for a newly built hostel wall and classroom resources. This portfolio describes the development of a Senegal program presentation that reflects the impact that Sisters Rising Worldwide (SRW) funding has on vulnerable communities and further the need for continued funding from donors to support these programs. This also includes the creation of student and Sister surveys as well as a SRW donor survey. …

Revitalizing The Healthcare Market: An Analysis Of Hospital Pricing Transparency Compliance, Ellie Bruggeman

Business and Economics Summer Fellows

The healthcare industry is one of the most praised industries in the US due to its lifesaving capabilities and immersive care. Consumers regularly report that are satisfied with the care they receive from their physicians. Conversely, they also report frustrations and confusions associated with the costs of such care. In extreme cases, this frustration can turn to financial ruin as medical debt is the leading cause of bankruptcy in the US. The healthcare industry does not operate in congruence with other markets, largely due to the presence of insurance and other third-party payers. The undisclosed interactions between third party payers …

Leadership, Service, And Wicked Problems: Impact Of War, Lack Of Funding, And Covid-19 In Service Of Those With Fewer Opportunities, Ruth V. Akumbu

The Scholarship Without Borders Journal

As the world and organizations struggled to overcome the challenges created by the COVID-19 pandemic, I, the Founder and CEO of Plant A Seed, also known as Plant a Seed Africa, used this chaotic period to assess and address issues facing the organization. Multiple challenges are addressed, including the pandemic, financial, political, and leadership. I created a new leadership strategy that switches between pacesetting, visionary, and transformational leadership styles. The new organizational change model will use the 5-F or Plant A Seed 5-F model.

Lifting Hands International, Walker Frahm, Hayley Smith

Journal of Nonprofit Innovation

HQ: Utah, USA

Mission: Lifting Hands International (LHI) provides aid to refugees at home and abroad. No politics, simply humanitarian. We respond rapidly to forced migration situations, carefully investigating conditions on the ground, and working with partners to fill gaps in the provision of timely and impactful aid to those in need.

Reach Out Today, Micah Stepan, Hayley Gorham

Journal of Nonprofit Innovation

HQ: Utah, USA

Mission: Identify and alleviate gaps in the lives of Utah’s vulnerable children and at-risk youth to provide relief and hope.

City Farm Of Slo Animal Feed Shed, Jacob Ryan Pizzifred

Construction Management

The City Farm of SLO is a local nonprofit for San Luis Obispo that functions as an education center for individuals looking to live more sustainably. This organization teaches different aspects of farming such as planting crops, taking care of them, how to care for a wide variety of farm animals, and maintain the health of the farm. To achieve all these objectives, facilities must be in place to ensure the correct number of materials are available. One lacking feature of this farm is the space to store animal feed. Before this project the food was stored outside subject to …

The Role Of Nonprofit Housing Developers In Addressing The Affordable Housing Crisis: A Case Study Of Linc Housing, Joshua Broadhead

Construction Management

Nonprofit housing developers are playing a critical role in addressing the affordable housing crisis in society. However, they face significant challenges in the current housing landscape. To explore this topic, this project takes a case study approach, using Linc Housing as the primary case study to examine the impact of nonprofit housing developers on the affordable housing crisis and the challenges they face. The project involves a literature review to identify the impact nonprofits can have, key issues, and challenges faced by nonprofit housing developers in the current housing landscape. Additionally, data is collected on Linc Housing's affordable housing development …

Nonprofit Fundraising And Social Identity, Jeff Gold

Engaged Management ReView

The purpose of this topic paper is to determine whether nonprofits can increase their fundraising capabilities by better managing their donors’ social identities. The nonprofit sector in the United States generated nearly $1.9 trillion in gross output, is estimated to contribute 5.6% toward the country’s $25.5 trillion in gross domestic product (GDP), and contributes immeasurable benefits to society. The industry continues to face challenges as the demand for services has increased and fundraising difficulties persist. This article analyzes peer-reviewed articles focused on nonprofit fundraising using a systematic approach. My findings suggest that one of the keys to effective nonprofit fundraising …

A New Pipeline: Building A Transformative Leadership Pipeline For Formerly Incarcerated Individuals, Jackie Aguilar

Master's Projects and Capstones

While developing leadership roles for employers is critical to running an effective organization, building a bridge for those who have directly lived experiences regarding its mission is critical. Bringing back community members you have served to your organization is highly recommended and essential. This capstone research report will focus on building a leadership pipeline for formerly incarcerated individuals within the nonprofit sector. Returning community members can often be tokenized and are never given the tools and resources to develop as a leader. This report will outline the barriers formerly incarcerated individuals face while providing a foundation on the importance of …

The Right People In The Wrong System: Examining The Tension Between Nonprofit Individuals And Organizational Structure, Erin Vong

Master's Theses

Nonprofit organizations pursue missions of social good while still operating within the confines of systems of oppression, creating a tension between organizational values and operational success. Previous research focuses on the micro-level role of individuals and the macro-level role of ideologies that create these tensions for nonprofit workers in these spaces. Through a qualitative case study, this thesis seeks to uncover the meso-level role of organizational structures in the experiences of nonprofit workers. The research questions that guided this case study were (a) How does one organization present equitable working conditions for its staff? (b) How do staff at this …

Accountng Analysis Of A Goodwill Industries International, Elizabeth Howard

Theses/Capstones/Creative Projects

Goodwill Industries International has clean financial health. They are liquid after COVID but plan to invest in different services directed at digital skills. They have no long-term debt, which frees up cash for services and can be considered a strength. Weaknesses in the financials directly attributable to COVID were: a cancellation of 2 million dollars’ worth of pledges in 2020, a decrease of 40 million dollars of program expense over two years, and a drop in investment return to 2.88%. Program expense ratio and Fund-Raising ratio are excellent at 91% and 2.2% respectively in 2021. Weaknesses I find are mostly …

Developing The Nonprofit Theatre: Building A Foundation For The Emerging Theatre Company, Kelsey Mcmillan

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This paper aims to guide entrepreneurial theatre artists in beginning a nonprofit theatre arts venture. It will provide an in-depth analysis of the foundations required to begin a nonprofit theatre organization and analyze the need for expanding upon traditional structures and styles. Incorporating evidence and research from relevant literature, coursework, and market data as well as analysis of a strategic plan for The Common Theatre Company, this paper finds that non-profit theatre companies can be positively served by developing unique products and services and a nontraditional governance model as an extension of the foundational needs of a nonprofit organization. The …

Community Food Security Strategies In Montana: Exploring Practices And Policies, Andrew T. Besser

Graduate Student Portfolios, Professional Papers, and Capstone Projects

No abstract provided.

Engaging Older Adults In Local Nonprofit Nutrition Assistance Programs: Understanding Barriers And Exploring Opportunities For Improved Participation, Amber R. Godinsky

Student Capstone Projects

The rapidly growing population of older adults in the United States is set to require a highly skilled and specialized healthcare response to control the threat of a public health crisis. Research on approaches to mitigation suggests the need for an emphasis on preventative measures such as health promotion and nutrition intervention to be used as vital tools in local communities. This case study on older adults residing within DeKalb County, Illinois offers insight into the accessibility of nonprofit nutritional assistance programs by providing a local snapshot of the barriers to participation in a preventative health resource. Methods of collecting …

Erwin's Second Story: Founding A Community Theatre, Bailey Robinson

Undergraduate Honors Theses

Erwin, Tennessee is a small town located just outside of Johnson City. The town is beautiful and the people are kind, but it lacks one thing - a community theatre. In an effort to increase student interest in the local high school drama department, allow community members of all ages a chance to perform, and to provide entertainment to the small town, I have worked to form a community theatre named Second Story. Founding a nonprofit community theatre comes with many challenges. In this thesis I will walk through my efforts and what all went into this labor of love. …

An Imc Approach To Building Trust Among Nonprofit Donors, Catherine A. Romaine

Honors Theses

This thesis explores the role of a holistic Integrated Marketing Communications strategy within the nonprofit sector. The research aims to identify the effectiveness of different marketing communication tactics in soliciting donations for nonprofit organizations. It examines the influences and motivations of donors when choosing one organization over another for their monetary contributions. The thesis investigates the impact of specific integrated marketing strategies in building and maintaining relationships with different stakeholders such as donors, volunteers, and employees.

Through a literature review of successful nonprofits and missteps within the sector, this thesis identifies various factors that contribute to nonprofit marketing success, including …

Permission-Based Marketing: Using Gis To Create Information Visualizations For Nonprofit Organizations., Mark J. Sciuchetti Dr., Jianping Huang

Atlantic Marketing Association Proceedings

No abstract provided.

Perceptions Of Creative Leadership In Multigenerational Nonprofit Private Education Teams, Rashad L. Burden

PhD in Organizational Leadership

The challenges that are encountered in private schools are in constant flux. Teachers and administrators are tasked with leading and guiding future generations in tumultuous times. A leader’s creativity has a significant influence on the diverse teams that are engaging school-age children. Creative leadership is lacking in academic research in comparison to more established leadership theories. The lack of research is excessively apparent in the multigenerational nonprofit private education sector. In this qualitative study, two Seventh-Day Adventist private school educational teams in southeastern California were engaged in focus group interviews. The purpose of this study was to examine the influence …

An Effective Nonprofit Board-Executive Relationship Starts With Defined Roles, Jaxon Didericksen

Research on Capitol Hill

Nonprofit executive directors have three, seven, and sometimes over 15 bosses. Their relationship with the board is complex to navigate, but it is crucial to organizational success.

Building Coleus Academy, Janessa Unseld

Mahurin Honors College Capstone Experience/Thesis Projects

Coleus Academy, a nonprofit e-learning platform, has been created to address the deficits left by the de-emphasis and, at times, outright omission of practical skill-centric education in American curriculums. There exists a gap between the degree of knowledge necessary to engage with adult life and the extent of that knowledge that is actually possessed by emerging adults. Prominent legislations are among the numerous efforts to address this issue. However, there is a deeply fractured market where resources are proving too expensive, too sparse, or hyper-specific to the point of limited usability. Compounded with disparities in when, where, and to whom …

Nonprofit Ceos’ Learned Skills And Strategies For Leadership, Julie Gallanty

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

AbstractNonprofit organization Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) bring their unique experiences to their executive positions but are often unprepared for new responsibilities and challenges, which require a broad skill set. The problem identified was the gap in professional development in unexpected and acute areas. This study aimed to explore the on-the-job learning of nonprofit CEOs and the professional development training needed to support them in their position. Kolb’s experiential learning framework was used to develop the study that examined the strategies used to gain the knowledge needed to perform effectively in their CEO roles. The research questions focused on understanding how …

Strategies To Increase Membership In A Canadian Nonprofit Protecting Rights And Benefits Of Retired Military Personnel, Bruce Requa

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Nonprofit organization leaders with an advocacy mission are increasingly challenged to identify, convert, and maintain their membership base to sustain the effectiveness of their advocacy reach and effectiveness. Grounded in stakeholder theory, the purpose of this qualitative single case study was to explore strategies some nonprofit leaders used to increase membership in a Canadian nonprofit protecting the rights and benefits of retired military personnel. The participants included four leaders of a small nonprofit organization in Ontario, Canada, who have directly or indirectly implemented membership strategies. Data were collected through semistructured interviews, client organizational documents, the organization’s website, an assessment of …

Improving Financial Resiliency To Provide Accessible Community Services During Emergency Conditions Through Strategic Planning, Maria Elisa Colmenares

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The study site organization lacked financial resilience to ensure the provision of social services to populations reliant on these services, including before, during, and after emergency conditions. The purpose of this mixed-methods case study was to provide strategic planning recommendations to increase financial resilience and describe the unique partnership between the client agency and the nonprofit arm. The study addressed strategies to increase the financial resilience needed to sustain the organization’s core mission, and strategies the agency can use to provide community services before, during, and after emergencies such as COVID-19, hurricanes, or severe storms. A strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and …

Exploring Strategies To Protect Nonprofit Organizations’ Assets From Fraud, Georjean W. Trinkle

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Community action agencies serve low-income individuals, families, and communities. Community action agencies may be at risk of fraud if they do not have board members with the knowledge to implement effective governance strategies to protect the organization's assets from fraud. Grounded in agency theory, the purpose of this qualitative multiple case study was to explore effective governance strategies that some community action board members use to protect their organization's assets from fraud. The participants were three board members of two community action agencies in New Jersey who implemented effective governance strategies to protect the organization's assets from fraud. Data were …

Case Manager Perspectives On Transition Services For Youth With Intellectual Disabilities, Alecha Davis

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Youth with intellectual disabilities have poorer outcomes during the transition period from school to adulthood. Very few studies were found that examine the perspective of the human service case manager. The perspectives of human service case managers were examined regarding the services that are needed to help youth with intellectual disabilities transition effectively. The study's purpose was to determine the services available and those needed to help support the transition from school to work, college, or in living independently for youth with intellectual disabilities. The theoretical framework for this study was Bronfenbrenner’s ecological systems theory used to explore the errors …

Nonprofit Ceos’ Learned Skills And Strategies For Leadership, Julie Gallanty

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

AbstractNonprofit organization Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) bring their unique experiences to their executive positions but are often unprepared for new responsibilities and challenges, which require a broad skill set. The problem identified was the gap in professional development in unexpected and acute areas. This study aimed to explore the on-the-job learning of nonprofit CEOs and the professional development training needed to support them in their position. Kolb’s experiential learning framework was used to develop the study that examined the strategies used to gain the knowledge needed to perform effectively in their CEO roles. The research questions focused on understanding how …

Nonprofit Administrator Strategies To Procure And Retain Long-Term Donors, Dr. Maxine Rolle

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Abstract Nonprofit sector administrators inability to procure and retain long-term donors can result in reduced revenue and possible organization failure. Nonprofit administrators who lack strategies to procure and retain long-term donors can negatively impact organizational performance and success. Grounded in network theory, the purpose of this qualitative multiple-case study was to explore strategies nonprofit administrators use to procure and retain long-term committed donors to remain operable. The participants comprised four administrators of four separate nonprofit organizations in Fort Lauderdale, Florida who procured and retained long-term committed donors to remain operable for at least 5 years. Data were collected through semistructured …

Strategies For Diverse Membership Recruitment And Retention In Nonprofit Organizations, Portia G. Smith

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Incorporating diversity is essential to the survival of nonprofit organizations. This qualitative single case study was important to membership-based nonprofit organization leaders because recruitment and retention strategies contribute to organizational diversity. Grounded in critical multicultural marketing theory, the study was conducted to explore the strategies that nonprofit organization leaders used to recruit and retain a diversified membership. Data were collected from three participants, who were nonprofit organization leaders in the eastern United States, through semistructured interviews, and review of organizational documents and reports, social media, and internet reports. The data were thematically analyzed and two themes emerged: (a) recognition and …

Sustainability Strategies For Nonprofit Organizations, Ramchand Francisco

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Nonprofit leaders face the challenges of ensuring their organizations are financially healthy while navigating economic and organizational issues that require strategies to support program growth with limited financial resources. Grounded in Markowitz’s modern portfolio theory, the purpose of this qualitative single case study was to explore strategies nonprofit leaders used to support program growth and sustainability with limited financial resources. The study participants were three leaders of a nonprofit organization in the northwest region of the United States who had expertise related to the focus of the research. Data were collected through semistructured interviews, analyses of the client organization’s internal …

Future-Oriented Strategies That Small 501(C)(3) Nonprofit Organizations May Use To Support Financial Sustainability, Justine Lownsbury

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The age of mortality for a nonprofit organization is between 6-15 years. The problem is that leaders of nonprofit organizations face challenges in financially sustaining nonprofit operations, which directly affects the ability to achieve and maintain the organizational mission. The purpose of this qualitative classical Delphi study was to explore how an expert panel of nine purposively selected U.S.-based stakeholders from small U.S.-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations viewed the desirability, feasibility, and importance of future-oriented strategies to support financial sustainability. The research questions addressed this purpose. The conceptual framework was rooted in effective leadership, innovation, sustainability, and positive social change, as …