Browsing by Subject "nonprofit"
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Item A comparative examination of the revenue structure of social enterprises and traditional nonprofits in Maryland(2014-02) Kucher, J. Howard; Lyles, C. Alan; Naylor, Lorenda A.; Pitta, Dennis A.; University of Baltimore. College of Public Affairs; University of Baltimore. Doctor of Public AdministrationThe debate over the viability of Social Enterprise echoes the broader inquiry into the merits of New Public Management (Light 2008). As with New Public Management, Social Enterprise presents an opportunity to increase the level of local control in the delivery of social services (Alvord, Brown et al. 2004; Nicholas 2005). It offers the opportunity to reduce the size of government (Light 2008), both as a direct actor and as a funder of contract services (Kucher 2011; Kucher 2012). Social Enterprise can also be subject to just as much ambiguity and loss of direction and control as the outsourcing and subcontracting aspects of New Public Management (Edwards 2008). If viable, an independent organization that is self-funding and not reliant on government funds to deliver social services may also represent a new manifestation of the concept of privatization, and change the nature of the relationships within public-private partnerships. There has been significant academic inquiry and debate in the field of social entrepreneurship regarding terminology and taxonomy. There has also been some work done in defining and determining qualitative distinctions between nonprofits and social enterprises (Di Domenico, Haugh et al. 2010). However, there has been little research done on specific quantitative differences in financing strategies among firms with a social focus. This research develops a model for determining if such systematic differences exist and then tests the potential for generalizability of the model by examining certain financial ratios for a sample of organizations taken from a population of 5,781 nonprofits within the state of Maryland. The model is examined through a series of financial ratio analyses that compare revenue sources for each entity and examine aspects of the financial condition of the organizations in the sample. These ratios because they are either generally accepted indicators of financial health in nonprofits (Zietlow, Hankin et al. 2007) or they are often used in the debate on social entrepreneurship (Dart 2004; Edwards 2008). Study findings indicate there are distinct differences in the financial conditions of a social enterprise as compared to either a high performing or average nonprofit. However, those distinctions do not support the idea that social enterprise is a unique practice. Further, the model has specific strengths but also a number of points where further research could refine this work. This study adds to the literature by helping to resolve the debate over the emergence of social enterprise and social entrepreneurship, specifically of there is any actual difference between organizations that consider themselves social enterprises and those that do not. It also aids in the evaluation of the potential usefulness of social entrepreneurship as a tool for social change, and may help inform administrative and policy decisions in both the public and the private sector.Item Complex Collaborations: Situating the rise of nonprofit prison labor within Maryland's institutional landscape(2023-01-01) Sabatino, Alicia; Mahmoudi, Dillon; Geography and Environmental Systems; Geography and Environmental SystemsAbstract: This thesis examines the use of state prison labor by nonprofit organizations in Maryland in order to examine how the subjects and discourses are shaped through the collaboration of nonprofits and prisons and the way that these institutions are impacted in the process. Institutional ethnography is leveraged as an analytic framework through which analysis of interviews and documents was conducted. Document analysis and interviews showed that the nonprofit prison labor collaboration is shaping the operations of both the prison system and its nonprofit partners, allowing the former to project a progressive public image while garnering resources for the latter. By examining nonprofit prison labor, this research calls for a renewed focus on the centrality of labor to carceral institutions in carceral and abolition scholarship.Item Count Me In: Leveraging Generational Differences to Sustain Volunteer Engagement(2018-06) Friedman, Megan; Wildman, Robert; MA in Arts AdministrationProfessional nonprofit theaters in the United States risk losing important support if they neglect to change existing approaches to volunteer recruitment, development, and recognition in light of evolving generational attitudes toward labor, time-use, and volunteerism. An analysis of data from US federal agencies; arts service organizations; professional associations; the academic and popular literature; and interviews with nonprofit theater shows that generational attitudes toward volunteerism may significantly impact future volunteer engagement, affecting the ability of theaters to continue to offer programming at current levels of quality. New and generationally appropriate ways of seeking, recording, and recognizing volunteer engagement are illustrated.Item GOING FURTHER TOGETHER(2017-07-07) Farber, Lisa; Burdett, Christine DeWalt; Lucas, Gregory; Coleman Cook, E'Vonne; Baker, Ramona; MA in Arts AdministrationIn this paper, the argument that nonprofit arts organizations will see impactful growth in audiences and participants by building relationships outside of their sector is supported with research that examines: past and present community arts programs, new funding strategies such as the Los Angeles County Arts Commission’s Community Impact Arts Grant (CIAG), successful and unsuccessful examples of collaborations between arts and social service organizations, and new models for participatory arts engagement. The benefits and risks of integrating joint programming were also explored and evaluated. This presented research validates that by working together to integrate arts programming with social service groups, many of which already incorporate an active arts practice into their work, nonprofit arts organizations can expand their community reach and provide new outlets to increase arts access and fulfill their mission.Item The Millennial Generation and Philanthropy: The Time for Engagement is Now(2017-06) Robertson, Suzanne; Chiu, Libby Lai-Bun; Baker, Ramona; Leonard, Sara Romeis; Lucas, Gregory; MA in Arts AdministrationThe Millennial generation is now the largest living generation of people in the United States, surpassing the Baby Boomer generation in size. It also has the greatest buying power of any current generational group. Most arts organizations primarily target the Baby Boomer generation which has the most expendable income, but increased investment in the cultivation of the Millennial generation will be beneficial to arts organizations. A high percentage of Millennials currently give to nonprofit organizations, and while their gifts are smaller than those made by Baby Boomers, they add up to have a significant impact on organizations. By creating relationships between organizations and their Millennial audiences, arts organizations can develop giving habits that could create a gateway for larger donations in the near-future and for decades to come. Existing arts organizations that currently have programs and development strategies which embrace the Millennial generation are explored for models of success, and examples of challenges. Interviews and case studies, personal observations by professionals in the field, and peer reviewed research studies are considered to formulate reasonable strategies that can be used by organizations of all sizes.Item Mobile Technology for Nonprofits: Harnessing the Power of Crowdsourcing(2011-12) Chin, Michelle Toyo; Salter, Anastasia; University of Baltimore. School of Information Arts and Technologies; University of Baltimore. Master of Science in Information Design and Information ArchitectureA mobile app is one of the easiest ways a nonprofit can increase awareness, raise funds, and promote events. The portability and popularity of smartphones can strengthen the connection between users and the nonprofit they support. By creating an app that empowers users to easily participate and engage, more people might be willing to take actions and spread the word.Item No Theater Left Behind: A Case for Digital Programming(2022-04-13) Breeden, Thomas; MA in Arts AdministrationThe COVID-19 pandemic presented nonprofit theaters an immediate and critical choice: shut down until the health concerns passed, or shift to some form of digital programming to continue to serve their audiences. Now, as theaters can once again reopen their physical spaces, a new, equally existential choice has emerged: leave COVID-era digital programming behind, or continue to incorporate digital programming into the core of the organization. This paper answers a timely question for the post-COVID era: Why invest in digital programming for the long haul? Through study of relevant literature, pandemic-era studies, news reporting, and personal interviews with theaters doing digital work, “No Theater Left Behind” presents a case for digital programming as an essential part of nonprofit theater companies’ artistic and audience development strategies moving forward. As seen in organizations over the last two years, digital programming extends a theater’s reach, improves access, and creates additional touchpoints into the organization for patrons. Further, commitment to digital programming will make for a more resilient and adaptable organization, one that will be ready to respond to the next moment of crisis. To capitalize on these benefits and not be left behind, organizations should seize this moment to invest in digital programming and ensure their place as the theater of tomorrow.Item People, Purpose, Planet: Adopting a Triple Bottom Line to Make the Nonprofit Arts Sector More Environmentally Sustainable(2021-05) Schiffer, Lauren; Crowley, Michael; MA in Arts AdministrationThe nonprofit arts sector in the United States has a significant, largely overlooked, environmental impact which could be addressed by adopting a triple bottom line: people, purpose, planet.Item Voter Disenfranchisment Due to a Criminal Record(2024-05-20) Randles III, James; Duncan, Ann; Williams, Olivia; Grossman, David; American Studies; Bachelor's DegreeThe right to vote is a fundamental aspect of democracy, and it is essential that every citizen has equal access to this right. However, in the United States, millions of people are denied the right to vote due to their criminal record. This practice, known as felony disenfranchisement, has been a topic of debate for many years. While some argue that it is necessary to prevent criminals from participating in the democratic process, others believe that doing so is a violation of basic human rights. If a major tenant of a democracy is a citizen’s right to vote and participate in said government, then how can we deny returning citizens their right to vote? Yes, they violated the law and the unspoken social contract of the agreement between individuals to give up certain natural rights to enjoy the benefits of society. However, once they complete the court-imposed sentence, they should then be able to return to their previous status in society as a full citizen.