multidisciplinary
Interdisciplinarity or interdisciplinary studies involves the combination of multiple academic disciplines into one activity (e.g., a research project). It draws knowledge from several other fields like sociology, anthropology, psychology, ec ...
field of teaching and research that focuses on practices of the nonprofit sector and can date back to the 1920s. This area of inquiry examines the management and effectiveness of the nonprofit sector, and has sub-areas of research including
administration
Administration may refer to:
Management of organizations
* Management, the act of directing people towards accomplishing a goal
** Administrative Assistant, traditionally known as a Secretary, or also known as an administrative officer, admini ...
,
marketing
Marketing is the process of exploring, creating, and delivering value to meet the needs of a target market in terms of goods and services; potentially including selection of a target audience; selection of certain attributes or themes to emph ...
,
communication
Communication (from la, communicare, meaning "to share" or "to be in relation with") is usually defined as the transmission of information. The term may also refer to the message communicated through such transmissions or the field of inqui ...
,
economics
Economics () is the social science that studies the production, distribution, and consumption of goods and services.
Economics focuses on the behaviour and interactions of economic agents and how economies work. Microeconomics analyzes ...
,
human resources
Human resources (HR) is the set of people who make up the workforce of an organization, business sector, industry, or economy. A narrower concept is human capital, the knowledge and skills which the individuals command. Similar terms include ...
ethics
Ethics or moral philosophy is a branch of philosophy that "involves systematizing, defending, and recommending concepts of right and wrong behavior".''Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy'' The field of ethics, along with aesthetics, concer ...
,
law
Law is a set of rules that are created and are enforceable by social or governmental institutions to regulate behavior,Robertson, ''Crimes against humanity'', 90. with its precise definition a matter of longstanding debate. It has been vario ...
,
information technology
Information technology (IT) is the use of computers to create, process, store, retrieve, and exchange all kinds of Data (computing), data . and information. IT forms part of information and communications technology (ICT). An information te ...
,
social entrepreneurship
Social entrepreneurship is an approach by individuals, groups, start-up companies or entrepreneurs, in which they develop, fund and implement solutions to social, cultural, or environmental issues. This concept may be applied to a wide range of ...
,
grant writing
Grant writing is the practice of completing an application process for a financial grant provided by an institution such as a government department, corporation, foundation, or trust. Such application processes are often referred to as either a ...
,
policy
Policy is a deliberate system of guidelines to guide decisions and achieve rational outcomes. A policy is a statement of intent and is implemented as a procedure or protocol. Policies are generally adopted by a governance body within an orga ...
volunteerism
Volunteering is a voluntary act of an individual or group freely giving time and labor for community service. Many volunteers are specifically trained in the areas they work, such as medicine, education, or emergency rescue. Others serve ...
, data research, and civic engagement.
A variety of higher education institutions and research organizations are dedicated to the teaching and research of issues related to the nonprofit sector. Degrees related to nonprofit studies are offered at undergraduate, graduate and doctorate levels. Additionally, individual courses within related disciplines (e.g. Business, Communication Studies, Sociology,
Public Policy
Public policy is an institutionalized proposal or a decided set of elements like laws, regulations, guidelines, and actions to solve or address relevant and real-world problems, guided by a conception and often implemented by programs. Public p ...
) examine nonprofit studies in a variety of contexts.
Nonprofit studies may also refer to studies of the
voluntary sector
The voluntary sector, independent sector, or civic sector is the realm of social activity undertaken by organizations that are non-governmental nonprofit organizations. This sector is also called the third sector, community sector, and nonprofit ...
, third sector,
nongovernmental organizations
A non-governmental organization (NGO) or non-governmental organisation (see spelling differences) is an organization that generally is formed independent from government. They are typically nonprofit entities, and many of them are active in ...
, or
civil society
Civil society can be understood as the "third sector" of society, distinct from government and business, and including the family and the private sphere.http://www.mtroyal.ca/wcm/groups/public/documents/pdf/ins_nenshi_2008.pdf /ref> include the topics of:
* Understanding the context of the sector
:* History
:* Size and scope; international comparisons
:* Legal and regulatory context
* Managing external relationships
:* Policy and advocacy
:* Community development
:* Fund development and financial sustainability
:* Marketing and public relations
:* Communications* Managing the Nonprofit Organization
:* General management, both tactical and strategic
:* Human resources and volunteer management
:* Financial management and accounting
:* Organizational behaviour
:* Program planning and evaluation
:* Earned revenue/social enterprise
:* Governance
:* Analytic methods* Being an effective leader
:* Personal leadership
:* Ethics and values
:*Community Organizing
In many nonprofit studies programs, experiential learning opportunities complement classroom learning. Students may take part in internships or co-operative education placements where they learn by working alongside staff in a nonprofit workplace. Community-based learning activities such as service-learning, community-based research, volunteering, and participatory action research can enhance the learning process by combining experiential learning and skill building with critical reflection on self and social/environment injustice.
Nonprofit management education research
* For a list of articles, reviews, and other citations on nonprofit management education, clic here o here
* For a list of research on nonprofit management education by Mirabella and Wish, clic
* For a general bibliography on nonprofit management education, clic
Nonprofit research
Academic journals
* ''
Annals of Public and Cooperative Economics
''Annals of Public and Cooperative Economics'' is a quarterly academic journal published by Wiley-Blackwell on behalf of the International Centre of Research and Information on the Public, Social and Cooperative Economy (CIRIEC). The journal was es ...
An extensive list of doctoral, masters, and undergraduate nonprofit degree programs in the US has been compiled b Dr. Roseanne Mirabella o Seton Hall University The list can be foun here
''Indiana'' Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy Academic Programs The Lilly Family School of Philanthropy’s degree programs bring together an understanding of how philanthropy works with why people give. The School emphasizes a comprehensive approach to the study of philanthropy in society that gives you the knowledge and understanding to be active in the nonprofit field. This broad approach gives you more choices throughout your life to pursue your passions and improve your community locally or globally Learn more
''Illinois'' Northern Illinois University Nonprofit and NGO Studies The Center for Nonprofit and Non-Governmental Organization Studies (formerly known as Community Leadership and Civic Engagement) offers a wide range of interdisciplinary courses that teach and promote leadership and involvement in the nonprofit sector and international nonprofit organizations. Because the program is interdisciplinary, students have the option to take courses from other departments such as political science, environmental studies, communications, business, marketing, and history. Nonprofit and NGO Studies at Northern Illinois University is a program that offers a degree under a Bachelors of Arts and a Bachelors of Science upon completion of a select amount of credit hours for the program and university requirements.
* Weber, P. C., & Witkowsky, G. R. (2016). Philanthropic Disruptions: Changing Non-Profit Education for an Engaged Society. ''Journal of Public Affairs Education,22''(1), 91-106. Retrieved April 30, 2018.
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*StudiesVolunteeringSocial philosophy