Nonprofit Administration and Management Commons^™

The Importance Of Leader-Member Exchange And Psychological Contracts In Highly Qualified Researchers, Robin L. Ingerick Dba

Theses & Dissertations

This study examined the significance of the relationship between leader-member exchange (LMX) and psychological contracts in United States-based research organizations. When the organization-manager-employee relationship deteriorates, psychological contract breaches can occur, negatively affecting employee outcomes and the organization's financial success and stability. Existing knowledge highlights several factors that influence relationships, including reciprocated treatment, work behaviors and reactions, trust, professional respect, affect, mutual interaction, work autonomy, communication, job satisfaction, and fulfillment. The study sought to determine to what extent is there a predictive relationship between LMX and psychological contracts (employee obligations, employer obligations, fulfillment, and contract transitions) of highly qualified United States-based …

Front And Back Matter

The Foundation Review

No abstract provided.

The Ai Contributor: A New Thought Partner In Systems Change, Jewlya Lynn, Rachel Reichenbach

The Foundation Review

Many foundations are making long-term commitments to advancing systemic change, continually adapting and refining their approaches along the way. An emerging and often underutilized tool in their systems change toolkit is generative artificial intelligence (AI).

AI is enhancing practices across philanthropy, often focused on increasing efficiencies and scaling or streamlining human tasks. What if we instead focus on what AI can do that is distinctly different from what a human can offer? In the world of systemic change, we continue to struggle with the complexity and intractability of systems and finding moments when systems can be shifted. AI can be …

Executive Summaries

The Foundation Review

No abstract provided.

Editorial, Julia Coffman

The Foundation Review

No abstract provided.

Archetypes Of Ai Adoption: A Snapshot In Time Of Philanthropic Practice, Grace Lyn Higdon, Linda Raftree

The Foundation Review

The authors identified four archetypes describing philanthropic funders’ approach to AI: The Curious, The Doers, The Dreamers, The Skeptics.

The authors did not find major differences found across foundations based on their geographic location, though there were differences found based on their mission and values. Feminist and social justice funders in the Global South demonstrated more skepticism than others.

Even in seemingly benign or straightforward applications, AI systems demonstrate unpredictable behavior, leading to most foundations proceeding with caution.

The rapid pace of AI has meant that formal AI policies are rare, though foundations align on some common “red lines” that …

Deepening Our Understanding Of Resilience: How Evaluation Can Contribute, Michael Quinn Patton

The Foundation Review

Resilience is the capacity to experience a significant shock and adapt as needed to survive and move forward. The current age is one of constant system shocks economically, environmentally, and politically. Resilience becomes essential for navigating these and other risks.

Individuals, organizations, communities, and ecosystems manifest different degrees and types of resilience requiring appropriately matched evaluation responses. In considering new directions for philanthropic evaluation, this article offers for the first time an overarching framework of four different responses to system shocks and disruptions. This leads to four different evaluation criteria: continuity, adaptation, innovation, and capitulation.

In addition to the long-term …

Collective Learning In Philanthropy: Ai, Trust, And The Future Of Grant Reporting, Rachel Kimber, Valerie Ehrlich, Blanch Vance, Abigail Osei

The Foundation Review

Grant reporting has largely devolved from a learning tool to a bureaucratic exercise that reinforces power asymmetries and burdens nonprofits. As philanthropy confronts mounting crises demanding equity and transparency, reporting must transform into a space for collective sensemaking.

This paper explores how Artificial Intelligence (AI), paired with Oral and Alternate Reporting (OAR) methods, can build equitable, human-centered reporting systems. We propose the E⁴ framework — Efficiency, Effectiveness, Expansiveness, and Equity — for intentionally leveraging AI in service of more equitable reporting practices.

Traditional reporting often sidelines the expertise of nonprofit staff and communities most affected by funded programs. Drawing …

Philanthropy As Risk Capital: Shaping Trust And Learning At The Speed Of Ai, Nina Sabarre, Clara Bennett, Laura Chavez-Varela

The Foundation Review

As artificial intelligence rapidly reshapes society, philanthropy is increasingly called to act as "risk capital" for the public good. But risk alone is not enough. Without rigorous, field-wide learning, philanthropy's bold bets may remain isolated and short-sighted, failing to catalyze the systemic change this moment demands.

This article draws on three sources of learning at Omidyar Network—an evaluation of The Tech We Want initiative, external strategy consultations with 29 stakeholders, and early learnings from a generative AI portfolio—to identify how philanthropy can uniquely "de-risk" AI innovation for collective benefit.

Through trust-based partnerships, ecosystem infrastructure support, and narrative change, these learning …

When Shift Happens: Navigating Toward A Framework For Responsible Philanthropic Exits, Laila Bell, Stephanie Teleki, Jaime Vazquez

The Foundation Review

Philanthropy can be a powerful force for social change, with influence extending far beyond the funding period. When foundations decide to cease funding in a specific area, how they exit can significantly impact the field they are leaving in both the short- and long-term. A poorly executed exit risks blindsiding grant partners and communities, damaging key relationships, undermining progress, and potentially leaving the field worse off than it was found. In contrast, a responsible exit can help the work continue long after the foundation ceases its funding.

What defines a responsible exit? In this article, learning leaders at three different …

Base Building Evaluation: Three Opportunities To Improve Its Use And Relevance, Katie Fox, Margaret A. Post

The Foundation Review

The concept of base building comes from the traditions of electoral and labor organizing, where organizers focus on drawing leadership from a specific constituency or geography. Base building is foundational to organizing efforts. It involves the recruitment, training, and leadership development of people who are often most directly impacted by the issues and causes that organizing focuses on.

In recent years, base building has seen increased interest and investment from the philanthropic sector as funders recognize base building as critical to community-led change. As funders expand their investment in base building, they increasingly seek information and data about base building …

Tfr 17.3 Full Issue

The Foundation Review

No abstract provided.

Beyond Transactions: Building Relational Partnerships Between Evaluators And Foundations, Lauren Beriont, Cassie Bruny, Madison N. Garcia, Ebonie Guyton, Chelsey Hurt, Leah Josephson, Kate Mallula, Mary Mattson, Rory Neuner, Ramona Perry, Andrea Prado Tuma, Sarah Smith, Kim Van Der Woerd, Sofia Vitalis

The Foundation Review

The co-authors have framed this article as an emergent learning journal of sorts, summarizing observations, findings, and key takeaways; walking the reader through the process, key tensions, and classic myths they identified; and highlighting principles they uncovered that underlie and lay the groundwork for imagining more equitable ways for evaluation consultants and foundations to act in relationships.

Case Study: Using Ai To Design More Effective, Efficient, And Equity Focused Grant Application Review Processes, Emily Yu, Bryan Speelman

The Foundation Review

Grants fuel millions of organizations and advance social innovation across sectors. In the United States, foundations and corporations respectively awarded $103.5B and $36.5B to nonprofits in 2023 alone (Childress, 2024; Lilly Family School of Philanthropy, 2024).

By extension, grant applications play a critical role in how grant recipients are identified and selected. While many funders are eager for more streamlined and equitable processes to review grant applications, the process remains primarily a manual and time consuming one (Hewlett Foundation, 2021). These factors leave some funders implementing grant application processes potentially at odds with their impact goals. Examples include restricting who …

Realidades De Las Organizaciones De La Sociedad Civil En México: Índice De Fomento A Las Actividades De Las Osc, Pablo Armando González Ulloa Aguirre

Journal of Nonprofit Innovation

Este artículo presenta los hallazgos derivados de la construcción de un Índice que evalúa el estado del fomento de las Organizaciones de la Sociedad Civil (OSC) en las 32 entidades federativas de México durante el año 2021. También describe los criterios considerados en la construcción del Índice y los resultados obtenidos en cada una de sus dimensiones. El Índice proporciona una perspectiva integral y multidimensional sobre el estudio del fomento a las OSC, analizando las dimensiones legal, institucional y programática con el objetivo de comparar los avances y los retrocesos en este ámbito. Al hacerlo, ofrece una oportunidad para mejorar …

Research Summaries - Research For Practice: Joni September 2025 Issue, Erica Jensen, Emma Indart, Emilyn Watkins, Faith Manchester

Journal of Nonprofit Innovation

No abstract provided.

Program Evaluation: Best Practices And Examples For Nonprofits, Erica Bassett, Faith M. Manchester

Journal of Nonprofit Innovation

No abstract provided.

Mapping Nonprofit Data Accessibility In Latin American Countries: Early Insights From An Exploratory Comparative Study, Angie Holzer, Tania Hernandez, Ted Gray Barnes Jr, Noah Ellis, Sumasri Jasti, Hannah Chu, Nithin Kumar, Evan Campione, Louis Ye, Quoc Thai Dinh

Journal of Nonprofit Innovation

This paper presents findings from a global study of nonprofit data accessibility, focusing on Mexico and other Latin American countries. The analysis explores whether nonprofit databases exist, who operates them, what accessibility barriers are present, what requirements nonprofits must meet to register, and what registration costs they face. Using an exploratory comparative design, the study highlights both cross-country similarities and differences while situating nonprofit data systems within broader theories of transparency, accountability, and open-data governance.

Early insights reveal that about 70% of countries in Latin America maintain nonprofit registries, yet accessibility, usability, requirements, and costs vary widely. Registration processes range …

Realities Of Mexican Civil Society Organizations: Index For The Promotion Of Activities Of Civil Society Organizations, Pablo Armando Gonzalez Ulloa Aguirre

Journal of Nonprofit Innovation

This article presents the findings derived from the construction of an Index that evaluates the state of promotion of Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) across Mexico’s 32 federal entities during the year 2021. It also outlines the criteria considered in building the Index and the results obtained in each of its dimensions. The Index provides a comprehensive and multidimensional perspective on the study of CSO promotion, analyzing legal, institutional, and programmatic dimensions with the aim of comparing progress and setbacks in this area. In doing so, it offers an opportunity to improve certain aspects as more data is generated and made …

Tendiendo Puentes La Teoría Y La Práctica: La Visión Y El Plan De Acción Del Grupo De Afinidad De Investigación Para La Práctica De La Istr, Angie Holzer, Christopher Dayson, Dana Doan, Patricia Quinn, Michele Fugiel Gartner, Tayyeb Hadi, Carissa Van Den Berk-Clark, Ana Maria Sanchez, Farouq Aliyu Muhammad, Romina Farias, Christopher Einolf

Journal of Nonprofit Innovation

Sociedad Internacional para la Investigación del Tercer Sector Grupo de Afinidad de Investigación para la Práctica (ISTR/R4P)

Transparencia, Confianza Y Asociaciones: Fortaleciendo La Colaboración A Través De Datos Y Rendición De Cuentas, Sujeeth Reddy Sithagari, Angie Holzer

Journal of Nonprofit Innovation

Este artículo explora cómo la transparencia influye en la confianza y fortalece las asociaciones dentro de organizaciones sin fines de lucro y de desarrollo internacional. A partir de una revisión bibliográfica estructurada de artículos revisados por pares, tesis e iniciativas globales, como la Iniciativa Internacional para la Transparencia de la Ayuda (International Aid Transparency Initiative, IATI), este artículo destaca el papel fundamental de la comunicación transparente en la creación de confianza de las partes interesadas. Los resultados indican que, si bien muchas ONG recopilan datos sobre su desempeño y sus finanzas, pocas los utilizan de manera sistemática para elaborar informes …

Nonprofit Spotlight: Rising Violet, Angie Holzer, Tiffany Sowby

Journal of Nonprofit Innovation

No abstract provided.

How Civil Society Organizations Build Resilience In The Face Of Financial And Political Pressures: Lessons From Czechia, Hungary, And Bulgaria, Merrill Sovner

Journal of Nonprofit Innovation

How are some civil society organizations (CSOs) able to pivot and innovate in the face of political hostility and funding withdrawal, while others shrink or become inactive? It posits that it’s not just the external environment, funding, or degree of political pressure, but attributes intrinsic to each CSO that narrows the range of possible responses. It is based on sample of CSOs in Czechia, Hungary and Bulgaria that faced political pressures and funding withdrawal between 2010 and 2019. CSOs responded in three ways: reduced staff and expenditures, replaced lost funding while operating in a similar way, or reframed their work, …

Transparency, Trust, And Partnerships: Strengthening Nonprofit Collaboration Through Data And Accountability (Hindi Version), Sujeeth Reddy Sithagari, Angie Holzer

Journal of Nonprofit Innovation

I

Bridging Research And Practice: Advancing Pracademic And Applied Research In The Social Sector, Emma Indart, Emilyn Watkins

Journal of Nonprofit Innovation

For many nonprofits around the world, accessing relevant research, data, and strategies to drive change can be a barrier to success. This gap between nonprofit practitioners and researchers is compounded by the high cost of academic articles, the limited availability of non-English publications, and the lack of practical tools to translate research into actionable strategies.

This paper examines the intersection of research for practice, applied research, and “pracademic” scholarship, highlighting how these approaches can expand the capacity of nonprofit professionals to create meaningful change in their communities. Furthermore, bridging the divide between research and practice has the potential to help …

The Inaccessibility Of Nonprofit Organizations Data In Sub-Saharan Africa, Barnabas Suva, Robert Bhero

Journal of Nonprofit Innovation

This article presents initial findings from a research study on nonprofit data across countries, focusing on the accessibility of nonprofit organizations in 49 countries in Sub-Saharan Africa, following thorough research of accessibility data from nonprofit organizations, regulatory bodies, and nonprofit websites. Only 12% of countries maintain a functional public nonprofit organization database, and even fewer provide detailed, searchable registries. While 94% of countries legally grant nonprofit organizations tax exemption, mandatory reporting obligations are often not paired with public access, thereby weakening accountability. These findings situate data inaccessibility as an agency problem where principals (donors, policymakers, communities) lack sufficient information to …

Special Edition: Full Issue - Research For Practice, September 2025, Angie Holzer, Erica Bassett

Journal of Nonprofit Innovation

No abstract provided.

Transparency, Trust, And Partnerships: Strengthening Nonprofit Collaboration Through Data And Accountability, Sujeeth Reddy Sithagari, Angie Holzer

Journal of Nonprofit Innovation

This paper explores how transparency influences trust and strengthens partnerships within nonprofit and international development organizations. Drawing from a structured literature review of peer-reviewed articles, doctoral dissertations, and global initiatives such as the International Aid Transparency Initiative (IATI), this article highlights the critical role of transparent communication in building stakeholder confidence. The findings indicate that while many NGOs collect performance and financial data, few use it consistently to inform external reporting or internal learning. Trust is found to be highly context-specific, shaped not only by data sharing but also by leadership humility, community engagement, and ethical governance. The study …

Mapeo De La Accesibilidad De Datos De Organizaciones No Lucrativas En Países De América Latina: Primeras Perspectivas De Un Estudio Comparativo Exploratorio, Angie Holzer, Tania Hernandez, Ted Gray Barnes Jr, Noah Ellis, Sumasri Jasti, Hannah Chu, Evan Campione, Louis Ye, Nithin Kumar, Quoc Thai Dinh

Journal of Nonprofit Innovation

Este artículo presenta los hallazgos de un estudio global sobre la accesibilidad de datos de organizaciones no lucrativas, centrado en México y en otros países de América Latina. El análisis explora si existen bases de datos de organizaciones no lucrativas, quién las opera, qué barreras de accesibilidad están presentes, qué requisitos deben cumplir las organizaciones no lucrativas para registrarse, y qué costos de registro enfrentan. Utilizando un diseño comparativo exploratorio, el estudio destaca tanto las similitudes como las diferencias entre países, situando los sistemas de datos de organizaciones no lucrativas dentro de teorías más amplias de transparencia, rendición de cuentas …

Bridging Theory And Practice: The Vision And Action Plan Of The Istr Research For Practice Affinity Group, Angie Holzer, Christopher Dayson, Dana Doan, Patricia Quinn, Tayyeb Hadi, Michele Fugiel Gartner, Carissa Van Den Berk-Clark, Ana María Sánchez, Farouq Aliyu Muhammad, Romina Farías, Christopher Einolf

Journal of Nonprofit Innovation

This article presents the strategic vision and comprehensive action plan of the International Society for Third Sector Research (ISTR) Research for Practice (R4P) Affinity Group, established to address the persistent gap between academic research and nonprofit practice in the third sector. Recognizing that practitioners are primarily focused on action and problem-solving while academics concentrate on knowledge accumulation and theory building, the R4P initiative creates a systematic framework for enhanced collaboration to maximize societal impact and advance evidence-informed practice. The R4P model employs a multi-dimensional approach through seven specialized sub-committees—Advocacy, Education & Training, Practitioner Engagement & Matchmaking, Research Accessibility and Sharing, …