As explained on their website, “The ARNOVA conference is designed to create a public conversation on, as well as opportunities for presenting research about, pressing issues and vital opportunities facing the voluntary or nonprofit sector. It is both a showcase for the best and most current research, as well as a seed bed from which new research is born.” Center leaders, Professors Alan Abramson, Marae Kim, and Stefan Toepler attended the 2023 conference from November 16 to 18 in Orlando, Florida. They were also joined by Schar School PhD student Sonali Chowdhary. These George Mason scholars led discussions and panels, and presented their work throughout the conference. Their contributions are listed below. The center also hosted a reception that celebrated ARNOVA and the growing nonprofit research field.
Special Dialogue Sessions:
Session Title: The Generosity Commission: A National Research and Dialogue Initiative to Support Giving and Volunteering
Professor Alan Abramson moderated the session and Professor Mirae Kim participated in the discussion as one of the panelists.
Session Title: GITA Roundtable
Professor Stefan Toepler participated in a roundtable discussion commemorating The Global Issues and Transnational Actors Interest Group’s 10th anniversary this year. The roundtable reviewed the evolution of internationally focused research over the past ten years and looked forward to future trends.
Session Title: Editors’ Panel: An Overview of Nonprofit Journals and a Conversation with the Editors
Professors Alan Abramson and Stefan Toepler participated in the conversation with the Editors.
George Mason sponsored reception
The reception celebrated ARNOVA and our growing nonprofit research field. We highlighted two initiatives of our Center on Nonprofits, Philanthropy, and Social Enterprise: the launch of a new project on federal nonprofit employment data and Nonprofit Policy Forum (NPF), an open access journal, with impact factor of 1.6, hosted at George Mason. The reception included food and drinks and provided an opportunity for conference attendees to connect with one another and learn more about Mason’s nonprofit projects.
Professors Alan Abramson, Stefan Toepler, and Mirae Kim answered questions about activities at Mason.
Regular Research Panel Sessions:
Session Title: Chinese Nonprofits in Global Perspectives
Professor Stefan Toepler presented his paper, “Chinese Government/Foundation Relationships in Global Perspective,” with Dr. Qun Wang from the University of Toledo
Session Title: Funding flows and nonprofit advocacy
Professor Mirae Kim presented her paper, “Who Funds Nonprofit Advocacy Activities? Findings from National Survey,” with Dr. Heather MacIndoe at UMass Boston and Dr. Lewis Faulk at American University
Session Title: Nonprofits Strategic Decisions Under Uncertainty
Professor Mirae Kim presented her paper, “A Shock to the System: Strategic Decisions that Organizations Make during Periods of Uncertainty,” with Dr. Dyana Mason, University of Oregon
Session Title: Changes in Policy Environments and Nonprofit Advocacy
Professor Mirae Kim presented her paper, “U.S. Nonprofit Political and Civic Engagement in a Red, Blue, and Purple World” with Dr. Heather MacIndoe at UMass Boston and Dr. Lewis Faulk at American University
Session Title: Performance of Inter-Sectoral Collaborative Networks
Professor Alan Abramson presented his collaborative paper – with former MPA student Celina Pierrottet and current PhD student Kristina Podesta – “Nonprofits as Partners in Implementing Government Programs: A Cross-Sector Comparison.”
Session Title: Analyses and Critiques of Nonprofit Studies and History
Professor Stefan Toepler presented his and Professor Jessica Terman’s paper, “Hostile Takeover or Sweet Surrender? Nonprofit Studies and its Embrace by Public Administration.”
Session Title: Policy Support for Social Enterprise
PhD student Sonali Chowdhary presented her paper, “Public Policy for Social Enterprise Beyond Legal Forms: What the U.S. Can Learn from Abroad.”
