Category: Announcement

Center Faculty Participating in ARNOVA’s Annual Conference from November 21-23

The Association for Research on Nonprofit Organizations and Voluntary Action’s (ARNOVA) 53rd annual conference will be held at the Westin Washington, DC Downtown hotel from Thursday, November 21 through Saturday, November 23.

This year’s theme, “Dreaming for a Bright Nonprofit Future: Policy-Making, Technology, and Collaboration in a Dynamic Environment,” will facilitate discussion on a wide range of pressing issues and vital opportunities facing the nonprofit sector. The three-day conference includes two plenary sessions, 180+ panel and paper presentation sessions, a poster session, and numerous opportunities for networking.

Center leaders, Alan Abramson, Stefan Toepler, and Mirae Kim, will be chairing or participating in several sessions over the course of the conference. Their sessions are discussed in more detail below.

Editor’s Panel: Exploring Academic Journals Focused on Nonprofit, Philanthropy, and Voluntary Action Research | November 21, 2-3 p.m.

Description: As the field of study on nonprofits, philanthropy, and voluntary action continues to grow and evolve, it has become increasingly international and interdisciplinary; and, scholars and practitioners in this field seek to publish their research findings and theoretical advancements in reputable academic journals. To support this endeavor, this workshop will feature editors from some of the leading journals in the field. They will provide an overview of their publications, share insights on current trends, and offer guidance on how to successfully submit and publish your work.

Panelists: Mirae Kim, George Mason University; Roseanne Mirabella, Seton Hall University; Fredrik O. Andersson, Indiana University Indianapolis; Christopher Prentice, University of North Carolina Wilmington; Joanne Carman, University of North Carolina Charlotte

Building a Comprehensive Global Data Archive on Civil Society and Related Disciplines | November 21, 2-3 p.m.

Description: This colloquium highlights a proposal to build an internationally comparative data archive on civil society and related disciplines. Cross-country datasets in this field differ in definition, taxonomy, countries/regions and time series covered, depending on the organization creating the data. It is not easy to conduct research using multiple datasets. To overcome this situation, researchers have proposed constructing a meta-data archive of cross-country datasets covering nonprofits, philanthropy, democracy, etc. and to provide it as a common property for other researchers and practitioners. Experts with rich professional and academic expertise will discuss the grand design and effective implementation methods to construct this data archive.

Panelists: Stefan Toepler, George Mason University; Helen Liu, National Taiwan University; Takayuki Yoshioka, Okayama University

Federal Data for Nonprofit Researchers | November 21, 2-3 p.m.

Description: There is an abundance of data collected by the federal government that could be useful to nonprofit scholars in their research. In this workshop, you will hear from federal staff at the Census Bureau, the Bureau of Fiscal Service, Americorps, the Bureau of Labor Statistics, and the Bureau of Economic Analysis about the data that is collected regarding nonprofit employment, demographics of nonprofit employees, federal funding of nonprofits, nonprofits as a share of the national economy, and volunteering. Dr. Alan Abramson will moderate this panel.

Advancing Social Enterprise Policy: Emerging Perspectives | November 22, 9-10:30 a.m.

Description: Driven by interest in finding fresh approaches to address social problems, social entrepreneurs in the U.S. and abroad are creating a new wave of hybrid, double-bottom-line-oriented social enterprises. However, while social enterprise activity has increased significantly in recent years, there has been only modest attention to what is appropriate public policy toward this emerging sector, mostly focused on legal forms. This colloquium seeks to advance discussion of social enterprise policy by convening scholars, practitioners, and policymakers with different perspectives on policy to talk about government funding support, procurement preferences, tax benefits, certifications, and accountability procedures, as well as legal forms. Dr. Alan Abramson will moderate this panel.

Nonprofit Entrepreneurship Cycle: Ideation, Entry, Expansion, Closure | November 22, 4-5:30 p.m.

Description: This session will explore innovation and entrepreneurship over the nonprofit lifecycle from ideation to closure. The authors on this panel deploy a diverse array of research techniques, including surveys, analytic theory generation, and empirical analysis, to analyze the practical challenges of organization creation, expansion, and demise. This session emphasizes the motivations driving nonprofit founders, the role of nonprofits in mediating donor-client interactions, the influence of information on donor acquisition and growth, and the factors contributing to organizational closure. By examining nonprofit entrepreneurship at each stage of the organizational lifecycle, this session advances our collective understanding of how nonprofit entrepreneurs innovate, grow, and create social impact.

Panelist: Mirae Kim, George Mason University; Jeremy Thornton, Samford University; Teresa Harrison, Drexel University; Elizabeth Searing, The University of Texas Dallas

The Generosity Commission: The Shifting Landscape of American Generosity and Research Recommendations | November 22, 4-5:30 p.m.

Description: This colloquium will provide an overview of the changing landscape of giving and volunteering and a summary of the findings of the Generosity Commission, with emphasis on the need for further research and data to better understand the full spectrum of giving and volunteering. Launched in 2021 to address concerns about declines in the number of donors and volunteers over the past two decades, the Generosity Commission’s report is a stark reminder of the changes afoot in this sector and their implications for everyday giving and volunteering, nonprofits, and society more broadly. Dr. Alan Abramson will moderate this session.

The Role of Voice, Resources, and Coalitions in Nonprofit Advocacy | November 23, 9-10:30 a.m.

Description: Four authors will discuss their recent publications on various components of nonprofit advocacy. They are:

“Voices From the Sector: Nonprofit Advocacy in Turbulent Times” by Heather MacIndoe, University of Massachusetts Boston, Mirae Kim, George Mason University, and Lewis Faulk, American University

“Exploring the Expressive Nature of Nonprofit Policy Advocacy: Sex Education Organizations in the Post-Dobbs” by Era Shelly Arsneault, California State University Fullerton, and Meeyoung Lamothe, University of Oklahoma

“Advocacy Coalitions and US Sanctuary Policy Debate: What’s the Place of Nonprofit Organizations Here?” by Omowonuola Fayemiro, University of Illinois Chicago

“The Role of Resources and Political Environment in Shaping Nonprofit Advocacy Strategies” by Qiaozhen Liu, Florida Atlantic University, and Hala Altamimi, University of Kansas

Advancing Foundation Research from Comparative Perspectives: Policy, Relationships with State and Market, and Emerging Trends | November 23, 9-10:30 a.m.

Description: Since the 1990s’ worldwide foundation boom, considerable scholarly advancement has been made in comparative research on foundations in different countries, and scholars have proposed various conceptual frameworks and typologies for foundations from comparative perspectives. Built upon these frameworks and in line with the conference theme, this colloquium examines the foundation landscape, policy influences, state-foundation relationships, and new trends from comparative perspectives focusing on the U.S., Canada, Germany, China, and Japan. Speakers and a discussant then explore new research agendas and how to overcome challenges, especially the lack of systematic data, to advance foundation comparative research.

Panelists: Stefan Toepler, George Mason University; Qun Wang, The University of Toledo; Tamaki Onishi, University of North Carolina Greensboro

Comparative, Historical and Critical Perspectives on Incorporation, Taxation, and Regulation | November 23, 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

This panel of authors will discuss their recent publications regarding various aspects of the incorporation, taxation, and regulation of nonprofit organization and social enterprises in the U.S. and around the world. They are:

“International Patterns of Public and Private Nonprofit Regulation: Implications for the United States” by Mary Kay Gugerty, University of Washington, and George Mitchell, City University of New York

“Incorporating a Community: Civil Society, Legal Incorporation, and Place in the West, 1863-1909” by Simon Shachter, University of Connecticut

“Revising Charitable Deduction Rules and Eliminating the Need for the Public Charity/Private Foundation Distinction” by Elizabeth Schmidt, University of Massachusetts

“Exploring the Effectiveness of Tax Incentives for Social Enterprises in the U.S. and Globally” by Sonali Chowdhary and Alan Abramson, George Mason University

Additionally, George Mason University’s Schar School of Policy and Government is sponsoring a reception on Friday, November 22 from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.

You can learn more about the conference and register to attend by visiting the event’s webpage. Be sure to check the Center on Nonprofits, Philanthropy, and Social Enterprise’s website and LinkedIn later to see a recap of our faculty’s presentations and the conference overall.

Volunteer Engagement to AI: A Summary of the 2024 Symposium on Public Policy for Nonprofits

The 13th Annual Symposium on Public Policy for Nonprofits convened virtually on Friday, September 20, 2024. This year’s topic, “Nonprofit Civic Infrastructure: A Recipe for a Thriving Nation,” focused on policies and practices to enhance nonprofits’ infrastructure, or support systems, to ensure nonprofit organizations are healthy, equitable, and well-represented in society.

The symposium kicked off with a brief greeting and introduction from all of its co-hosts. Dr. Akilah Watkins, CEO, represented the Independent Sector. Dr. Alan Abramson, professor and director of the Center on Nonprofits, Philanthropy, and Social Enterprise at the Schar School of Policy and Government at George Mason University, represented the Nonprofit Policy Forum as one of the journal’s three co-editors. Executive Director Lynnette Cook represented the Association for Research on Nonprofit Organizations and Voluntary Action (ARNOVA).

The symposium was divided into two thematic panels, each featuring three presentations. The first panel discussed nonprofit engagement and featured topics such as volunteerism, youth perspectives, and the representation of people with lived experiences in nonprofit leadership.

The first panel began with Beth Steinhorn, president of VQ Volunteer Strategies, presenting “From Policy to Practice: Elevating Nonprofits Through Strategic Volunteer Engagement.” Strategic volunteer engagement offers nonprofits a wide range of benefits, but many organizations do not devote time, energy, and resources into developing a strategy for volunteer engagement. Steinhorn’s presentation highlighted three success stories to inspire more nonprofit organizations to invest in a volunteer engagement strategy.

We believe a nonprofit sector that is healthy, trusted, and equitable is essential to building a nation where all people thrive and democracy flourishes. To achieve this vision, we need strong nonprofit civic infrastructure that includes representation and voice, healthy and equitable organizations, and conducive, enabling environments.
Dr. Akilah Watkins, Chief Executive Officer, Independent Sector

The second presentation, titled “Youth Perspectives: Civic Engagement, Equity, and Public Policy,” was presented by Jodi Benenson, Eryn Busenbark, Eva Burklund, and Jon Grant from the University of Nebraska Omaha. Their presentation discussed three themes from their exploratory longitudinal research project that sought to uncover the ways young people conceptualize and experience civic mobility. Their research found young people experience several barriers to civic engagement, including a lack of time, money, and social ties. However, they also noted young people value civic engagement and feel empowered when they engage in activities related to their personal identities. Together, their findings offer a baseline understanding of civic engagement as it relates to young people and can help nonprofits craft effective strategies to recruit young volunteers.

The final presentation in the first panel, titled “Shifting and Sharing Power to Persons with Lived Experience through Equitable Process, Intentional Preparation, and Authentic Skill Building in Nonprofit Public Policy and Advocacy,” was presented by Joshua Cogan, Destiny Wiley-Yancy, Evelyn Bagley, Kahran LaTourette and Marcella Middleton from A Way Home America. Their presentation highlighted the importance of centering people with lived experiences to transform the way nonprofits engage in public policy and advocacy. This is done through an equitable process, intentional preparation, and authentic engagement, which encompasses many aspects from fair compensation and proper credit for contributions to offering skills training and changing hiring and employment practices to truly accommodate these individuals with lived experiences.

After a discussion of the first panel and a question and answer period, Dr. Abramson introduced the second panel on the role of technology and AI in nonprofit civic infrastructure.

The first presentation, titled “A Better Deal for Data: Model Commitments to Unlock Data in the Nonprofit Sector,” by Katy McKinney-Bock, Steve Franci and Jim Fruchterman of Tech Matters addressed several of barriers to data-sharing in the nonprofit sector, including a lack of trust, a lack of policy consensus, and sensitive data. While there are several existing data-sharing models, none of these work for the nonprofit sector, Therefore, they proposed a set standardized, enforceable commitments to help nonprofits build accountability and share data.

The second presentation, “Leveraging Data for Generosity: The Giving Tuesday Data Commons Model” by Samir Khan, Jesse Bourns, and Woodrow Rosenbaum of Giving Tuesday, discussed the Giving Tuesday Data Commons. The Giving Tuesday Data Commons is used to collect, extract, distill, and house a growing body datasets on generosity as practiced in the United States and in other countries. The Giving Tuesday Data Commons is an example of the kind of civic infrastructure needed to address many of the concerns surrounding data-sharing in the nonprofit sector as outlined in the first presentation on this panel.

The final presentation of the symposium was titled “AI Policies and the Nonprofit Sector” and was given by Wendy Chen from Texas Tech University. Her presentation highlighted findings from her systematic literature review on the intersection of AI policies and nonprofits. While existing literature has analyzed AI policies in the commercial and public sectors, there is little research on AI policies in the nonprofit sector. This lack of guidance hinders nonprofits’ ability to harness AI’s potential. In the future, establishing policies for AI adoption in nonprofits will be essential to ensure ethical use, prevent harm to vulnerable populations, and maintain public trust.

Congratulations and great job to all of the symposium’s presenters! If you missed the symposium or want to learn more about any of these projects, you can watch the symposium’s recording. Be sure to stay tuned for the Nonprofit Policy Forum’s special issue with all of the papers from the 13th Annual Symposium on Public Policy for Nonprofits coming soon.

Register for the 2024 Symposium on Public Policy for Nonprofits on September 20

Join a community of leading academics, nonprofit practitioners, community advocates, and regulators for the virtual 13th Annual Symposium on Public Policy for Nonprofits on Friday, September 20 from 1-4 p.m. ET. 

This year’s theme, “Nonprofit Civic Infrastructure: A Recipe for a Thriving Nation,” will focus on experience- and research-based policy ideas to strengthen the sector.

Attendees will learn about public policy and AI, youth perspectives, strategic volunteer engagement, shifting power to those with lived experience, unlocking and leveraging data, and more.

Presentation topics include:

Youth Perspectives on Civic Engagement, Equity, and Public Policy
From Policy to Practice: Elevating Nonprofits through Strategic Volunteer Engagement
Shifting & Sharing Power to Persons with Lived Experience through Equitable Process, Intentional Preparation, and Authentic Skill Building in Nonprofit Public Policy & Advocacy
Leveraging Data for Generosity: The Giving Tuesday Data Commons Model
AI Policies on the Nonprofit Sector
A Better Deal for Data: Model Commitments to Unlock Data in the Nonprofit Sector

Don’t miss out on hearing from leading nonprofit practitioners and scholars who will help develop public policies that strengthen nonprofits and philanthropy at all levels of government. Attendees will also be able to join the conversation, ask questions, and share their insights. Whether you’re a seasoned policy expert or someone who is totally new to the field, there’s an incredible amount to learn and contribute! 

This symposium is sponsored by the Association for Research on Nonprofit Organizations and Voluntary Action (ARNOVA), Independent Sector, and Nonprofit Policy Forum. 

Schar professors attended a White House Roundtable on Nonprofit Workforce and Data

By: Buzz McClain

Schar School professors Alan Abramson and Stefan Toepler attended a White House Roundtable on Nonprofit Workforce and Data last week.

The roundtable, which was organized by White House staff in collaboration with Independent Sector and the Aspen Institute’s Program on Philanthropy and Social Innovation, engaged participants in dialogue about the ongoing challenges facing the nonprofit workforce and the critical role that U.S. government plays in shaping and advancing policy interventions that are crucial to addressing the needs of the nonprofit workforce.

“Much of the roundtable discussion focused on how federal data sources, including information about nonprofit employment from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and nonprofit economic activity from the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, can help policymakers better understand the condition of the nonprofit sector and inform their consideration of policies that can strengthen this important part of our society.”
Professor Abramson

The roundtable touched on an important area of focus for the Schar School’s Center on Nonprofits, Philanthropy, and Social Enterprise, directed by Abramson. With support from the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation, the center is engaged in a major project, the George Mason University – Nonprofit Employment Data project, that analyzes federal nonprofit employment data and is developing a website to make this data available to the public and scholars in an easily accessible format.

The project is also exploring other federal data sources that contain information about nonprofits which can be helpful to policymakers, nonprofit leaders, and scholars seeking to deepen their understanding of nonprofit activities.

For more information about recent Schar activities, check out this post by Buzz McClain.

Chowdhary reflects on the EMES Social Enterprise Research Conference, in Frankfort Germany

Sonali Chowdhary is a Public Policy PhD student in the
Schar School of Policy and Government at George Mason University

I was very pleased to join Professor Alan Abramson in presenting our paper, “What Social Enterprise Policy Lessons Can the US Learn from Other Countries: A Proposed Policy Framework for Social Enterprise in the US,” at the 9th EMES Social Enterprise Research Conference in Frankfurt, Germany in September. The conference theme, “Act locally, change globally: Social enterprises for more resilient economies and societies,” underscores the potential of hybrid, double-bottom-line social enterprises to make a significant positive impact in both smaller communities and broader societies, and the need for robust research about these entities.

During the four-day conference, Prof. Abramson and I engaged in numerous stimulating workshops, plenaries, networking sessions, and field visits. These activities provided us important insights into the latest developments in social enterprise activities and policies worldwide. What made the conference particularly enriching was the chance to gain insights from the perspectives of various thought leaders, researchers, practitioners, and policy makers. For example, plenary sessions featured important leaders in the social enterprise field like Sven Giegold, Secretary of State to the Federal Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate Action in Germany; Sarah de Heusch, Director of Social Economy of the European Union; Giulio Pasi, Scientific Officer at the European Commission, who is working on the relationships between public policy and new markets; and Ilcheong Yi, Senior Research Coordinator at the United Nations Research Institute for Social Development (UNRISD).

It was especially interesting for me and other conference attendees to hear about the new German policy on social innovation from the German Secretary and about the EU strategy on social economy. The thought-provoking discussions and plenaries that featured dialogues between policy makers, eminent scholars, and social entrepreneurs influenced the perspectives of emerging scholars like myself.

One of the conference field visits took conference participants to the Struwwelpeter Museum, a social enterprise in Frankfurt, that recruited its workforce from hard to employ communities. The visit was a great opportunity to talk to the head of the Museum about its business model, which was based on revenue generated from both fees and government support such as social security and VAT exemptions for the enterprise.

I am very grateful to support from the Schar School’s Schar Initiative and its Center for Nonprofits, Philanthropy, and Social Enterprise for providing me this invaluable conference opportunity.

For more information see: