Understanding Nonprofit Organizations Governance, Leadership, and Management

There are no easy solutions to the complexities faced by nonprofit leaders and managers. This textbook addresses the governance, leadership, and management functions of the thousands of organizations in the nonprofit sector that provide an enormous range of services. This thoroughly revised fourth edition of Understanding Nonprofit Organizations does not simply recount and summarize seminal literature; it presents 22 of the most important and informative articles, chapters, and essays written about the workings of nonprofit organizations, alongside 18 case studies that illustrate the complex governing, leading, and managing issues raised in the chapters. The introductions that open each of the sections explore important issues and concepts, provide context, and explain what students should be looking for as they read each of the chapters. Each section introduction has been extensively rewritten or updated to address recent movements and changes in the nonprofit field, including the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on all aspects of nonprofit organizations’ functions and ability to raise funds, increasing social and political divides within countries and communities, the gains and problems that have arisen with dramatic expansion of social media, and the need for justice, equity, diversity and inclusion in our organizations and our society. Understanding Nonprofit Organizations provides a cohesive set of relevant readings for a course on nonprofit organizations and management, and instructors and students will appreciate the original case studies that parallel the major themes presented. The book is also designed for individuals who are hoping or planning to move into paid or voluntary leadership and management positions in nonprofit organizations—as well as for those already involved with nonprofits seeking to improve their skills and understanding of their chosen field.

Foreword by David O. Renz Part I: Governance of Nonprofit Organizations Board of Directors Stephen R. Block (1998) Ethno-racial Diversity on Nonprofit Boards: A Critical Mass Perspective Christopher Fredette and Ruth Sessler Bernstein (2019) CASE STUDY 1: Welcome to the Board of Directors C. Kenneth Meyer and Alison Lemke CASE STUDY 2: Leadership and Growth Challenges in Nonprofit Organizations Julie Ann O’Connell, Benjamin S. Bingle, and C. Kenneth Meyer Part II: The Legal Framework (Jared C. Bennett) 3. Nonprofit Organizations Law Generally Bruce R. Hopkins (2013) 4. Non-Governmental Organizations: Anticorruption Compliance Challenges and Risks Elena Helmer and Stuart H. Deming (2011) CASE STUDY 3: Daughter Dearest: Nonprofit Nepotism Benjamin S. Bingle and C. Kenneth Meyer CASE STUDY 4: Conflicting Values Carol Sipfle and C. Kenneth Meyer Part III: Strategic Leadership 5. Executive Director Block, Stephen R. (1990) 6. Critical Standpoint: Leaders of Color Advancing Racial Equality in Predominately White Organizations Brad. R. Fulton, Michelle Oyakawa,, and Richard L Wood (2019) CASE STUDY 5: Organizational Stability in the Midst of Turnover and Leadership Change Julie Ann O’Connell, Benjamin S. Bingle, and C. Kenneth Meyer CASE STUDY 6: Best Laid Plans: Challenges in Strategic Planning Betsy Hull, Benjamin S. Bingle, and C. Kenneth Meyer Part IV: Innovation, Capacity, and Collaborations 7. A Manager’s Guide to Choosing and Using Collaborative Networks H. Brinton Milward and Keith G. Provan (2006) 8. Effective Leadership in Network Collaboration: Lessons Learned from Continuum of Care Homeless Programs Hee Soun Jang, Jesús N. Valero, and Kyujin Jung (2016) 9. How Does a Board of Directors Influence within- and Cross-sector Nonprofit Collaboration? Jennifer Ihm and Michelle Shumate (2018) CASE STUDY 7: Fostering Growth Through Capacity Building Valencia Prentice and Mohamad Bamanie CASE STUDY 8: Show Me the Money C. Kenneth Meyer and Stacy Gibbs Part V: Fund Development: Generating Revenues 10. Capacity-Building: Strategies for Successful Fundraising Michele T. Cole (2016) 11. Analyzing the Dynamics of Funding: Reliability and Autonomy Jon Pratt (2004) CASE STUDY 9: Ethical Considerations in Fundraising Carol Sipfle and C. Kenneth Meyer CASE STUDY 10: The Selling of America Garry L. Frank and C. Kenneth Meyer Part VI: Philanthropy and Advocacy 12. Philanthropic Social Ventures: A Framework and Profile of the Emerging Field Holona LeAnne Ochs (2012) 13. Political Advocacy by Nonprofit Organizations: A Strategic Management Explanation Kelly Leoux and Holly T. Goerdel (2009) CASE STUDY 11: Southwest County Foodbank: Nonprofit Board Advocacy Julie Ann O’Connell, Benjamin S. Bingle, and C. Kenneth Meyer CASE STUDY 12: Volunteer and Donor Recruitment on Social Media Julie Ann O’Connell, Benjamin S. Bingle, and C. Kenneth Meyer Part VII: Budgets, Financial Reports, and Management Control 14. Types of Nonprofit Income: Financial and Cash Flow Management Considerations Murray Dropkin and Allyson Hayden (2001) 15. Resiliency Tactics During Financial Crisis: The Nonprofit Resiliency Framework Elizabeth A. M. Searing, Kimberly K. Wiley, and Sarah L. Young (2021) CASE STUDY 13: Throwing the First E-Stone C. Kenneth Meyer CASE STUDY 14: When the Funding Stops Don Munkers and C. Kenneth Meyer Part VIII: Managing Volunteers and Staff 16. Exploring the Dynamics of Volunteer and Staff Interactions: From Satisfaction to Conflict Heather Rimes, Rebecca Nesbit, Robert K. Christensen, and Jeffrey L. Brudney (2017) 17. Volunteers as Boundary Workers: Negotiating Tensions Between Volunteerism and Professionalism in Nonprofit Organizations Kirstie McAllum (2018) CASE STUDY 15: Changing of the Guard: Leadership Change in NonprofitOrganizations Betsy Hull, Benjamin S. Bingle, and C. Kenneth Meyer CASE STUDY 16: Turning the Tide: Transitioning from Volunteers to Paid Staff Julie Ann O’Connell, Benjamin S. Bingle, and C. Kenneth Meyer Part IX: Accountability and Evaluation 18. Accountability Online: Understanding the Web-Based Accountability Practices of Nonprofit Organizations Gregory D. Saxton and Chao Guo (2011) 19. Measuring the Networked Nonprofit: Using Data to Change the World Beth Kanter and Katie Delahaye Paine (2012) CASE STUDY 17: Technology and Transparency at the Museum Amanda R. Insalaco, Benjamin S. Bingle, and C. Kenneth Meyer CASE STUDY 18: Measure Twice, Cut Once: Performance Evaluation in Nonprofit Organizations Benjamin S. Bingle and C. Kenneth Meyer

Lisa A. Dicke is Professor of Public Administration at the University of North Texas, USA. J. Steven Ott is Professor Emeritus of Political Science and Public Affairs at the University of Utah, USA.