Urban Institute: Nonprofits

Measuring Racial-Ethnic Diversity in California's Nonprofit Sector: An Overview

paffairs@urban.org ( Carol J. De Vita, Katie L. Roeger ) — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EST

This policy brief summarizes the findings of a larger report on racial-ethnic diversity in California's nonprofit sector (see www.urban.org/url.cfm?ID=411977). It documents the extent to which California's nonprofit boards, staff, and executive leadership are racially and ethnically diverse, and analyzes diversity by an organization's size, type, funding patterns, and geographic location within the state. The brief examines how California nonprofits with diverse leadership have been affected by the current economic downturn, and presents three models for measuring diversity using different definitions of organizational diversity.

Measuring Racial-Ethnic Diversity in California's Nonprofit Sector

paffairs@urban.org ( Carol J. De Vita, Katie L. Roeger, Max Niedzwiecki ) — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EST

Decisionmakers in California and across the country are facing critical challenges related to diversity. But until now, there has not been a comprehensive picture of how California's nonprofit sector has responded to this demographic transition. This report, based on a representative sample of California's 501(c)(3) organizations, documents the extent to which California's nonprofit boards, staff, and executive leadership are racially and ethnically diverse. It analyzes diversity by an organization's size, type, funding patterns, and geographic location within the state, and examines how California nonprofits with diverse leadership have been affected by the current economic downturn. The report also presents three models for measuring diversity using different definitions of organizational diversity.

Latinos Are the Least Represented Group of Color in California's Nonprofit Sector

paffairs@urban.org ( The Urban Institute ) — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EST

Latinos, California's largest minority population, are the most underrepresented group of color in the state's nonprofit sector, according to the first systematic study of racial and ethnic diversity in California's nonprofits.

Policy Polymath Eugene Steuerle Returns to the Urban Institute

paffairs@urban.org ( The Urban Institute ) — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 00:00:00 EST

Eugene Steuerle, one of the nation's most respected public policy experts, whose portfolio ranges from taxes and federal spending on children to entitlements and the vitality of nonprofits, has rejoined the Urban Institute as an Institute fellow and the Richard B. Fisher

Evaluation Matters : Lessons from Youth-Serving Organizations

paffairs@urban.org ( Mary Kopczynski Winkler, Brett Theodos, Michel Grosz ) — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 00:00:00 EST

Nonprofits face growing demands to demonstrate their impact. Their ability to report on program performance is essential to organizational legitimacy and financial survival. This report chronicles the evaluation experiences of four youth-serving nonprofits that participated in the East of the River Initiative, a multi-year effort to increase the capacity of agencies to assess their performance. We detail key successes and challenges with the goal of sparking a dialogue between nonprofits, funders, and technical assistance providers about the proper value of evaluation in the sector.

Delivering Legal Aid after Katrina : The Equal Justice Works Katrina Legal Initiative

paffairs@urban.org ( Sara Debus, Seri Irazola ) — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 00:00:00 EST

Hurricanes Katrina and Rita led to a myriad of legal needs in the Gulf Coast area at a time when the region's legal infrastructure was weakened. Equal Justice Works implemented the Katrina Legal Initiative, an innovative legal aid disaster relief program to assist the affected communities. This report details the implementation of this program; describes the program goals, activities, and impacts; analyzes whether the program met the stated goals; and offers recommendations for comparable programs in the future. Lessons learned from the Katrina Legal Initiative can help to inform future disaster relief efforts on the part of the legal community.

Central Louisiana in Focus

paffairs@urban.org ( Katie L. Roeger, Carol J. De Vita ) — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 00:00:00 EST

This series of fact sheets provides a quick overview of the nonprofit sector in each of the nine parishes that comprise Central Louisiana Allen, Avoyelles, Catahoula, Grant, LaSalle, Natchitoches, Rapides, Vernon, and Winn. Each fact sheet provides information on the number of nonprofits and congregations found in the parish; the types of services offered; basic financial measures, such as total revenues, expenses, assets, and liabilities; sources of revenue; and a measure of fiscal health. The fact sheets also include basic demographic information for the parish, such as total population, median age, race-ethnic composition and median household income. A companion report, A Profile of Nonprofit Organizations in Central Louisiana, provides a detailed analysis of the size, scope, fiscal health, and other dimensions of the sector.

A Profile of Nonprofit Organizations in Central Louisiana

paffairs@urban.org ( Carol J. De Vita ) — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 00:00:00 EST

Nonprofit organizations in Central Louisiana are an integral part of community life, helping people in need and providing cultural and civic opportunities to local residents. Yet most people have only a vague idea of the number and types of nonprofits in the region or the financial resources needed to support and sustain this work. This report is a comprehensive study of Central Louisiana's nonprofit sector. It examines the size, scope, and financial underpinning of the sector, and explores the extent to which nonprofits and religious congregations collaborate with each other and with other groups. It also reports the challenges that nonprofit and faith-based leaders see as critical to the region. A companion report, Central Louisiana in Focus, provides a statistical fact sheet for each of the nine parishes in the region.

Cultural Development and City Neighborhoods

paffairs@urban.org ( Carole E. Rosenstein ) — Tue, 11 Aug 2009 00:00:00 EST

Cities around the world are building urban cultural life as a way to develop local economies and revitalize urban centers. But they have done less to recognize and systematically promote the cultural lives of urban neighborhoods and their residents. This brief examines four characteristics of city cultural policy that affect cultural development and cultural life in neighborhoods. The brief is informed by policy forums held by The Living Cultures Project in New Orleans in 2008-2009 to address key policy issues confronting neighborhood and cultural life.

Five Questions For Thomas Pollak

paffairs@urban.org ( Thomas H. Pollak ) — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 00:00:00 EST

Thomas H. Pollak, coauthor of "Washington-Area Nonprofit Operating Reserves" answers five questions about local nonprofits financial health. This first-of-its-kind study looks at the operating reserves of public charitiesfrom soup kitchens to job-training centers to local arts groupsas reported in their 2006 tax filings. The study found that most nonprofits had weak reserves before the downturn, leaving them vulnerable to effects of the recession.

Washington-Area Nonprofit Operating Reserves

paffairs@urban.org ( Amy Blackwood, Thomas H. Pollak ) — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 00:00:00 EST

This report, funded by the Meyer Foundation, looks at the operating reservesthe cash and other liquid assetsof public charities in the Washington Metropolitan area. Using IRS Form 990 data, the report found that 57 percent had reserves insufficient to cover three months of expenses, a level that many experts consider the minimum necessary for financial stability. This leaves them especially vulnerable to the rapid declines in revenue or increases in expenses that occur in economic downturns like the present. A substantial perecentage of all types and sizes of organizations lacked adequate reserves.

The Stimulus and Poverty: A Role for Foundations in Seizing the Moment : How Foundations Can Help the Stimulus Reach Low-Income Families

paffairs@urban.org ( Olivia Golden ) — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 00:00:00 EST

In this commentary for SpotlightOnPoverty.org, Institute Fellow Olivia Golden lays out five strategic investments foundations can make to sustain the economic stimulus package's positive outcomes for low-income families.

Trends in Charitable Giving in North Carolina and the Research Triangle 1997-2006

paffairs@urban.org ( Carol J. De Vita, Petya Kehayova ) — Fri, 22 May 2009 00:00:00 EST

Charitable giving in North Carolina has been on the upswing for nearly ten years, but the economic downturn is affecting individuals' ability and willingness to give. Using tax returns stripped of personal identifiers, the report examines charitable giving by North Carolina tax payers and those in the Research Triangle. Overall, charitable giving by North Carolinians is higher than the national average both in terms of dollars given and the share of gross adjusted income given. Yet, despite its relatively high levels of income, Triangle residents give less to charity than the average Tar Heel. Even among high-income earners (those with adjusted gross income of $100,000 or more), Triangle residents give about the same amount in absolute dollars, on average, but about a half percentage point less than their statewide peers. Regional and county variations in giving suggest that fundraising appeals must be carefully targeted to be successful.

Limited Life Foundations: Motivations, Experiences and Strategies

paffairs@urban.org ( Francie Ostrower ) — Thu, 05 Feb 2009 00:00:00 EST

Although most foundations are established in perpetuity, the limited life option is attracting more attention. This monograph helps fill a gap in the literature by examining the motivations, strategies, and experiences associated with the decision to "sunset" and comparing the attitudes and practices of perpetual and limited life foundations. The report draws on survey data on over 800 private foundations with varied longevity plans, and in-depth interviews with 31 foundations that have considered or plan termination.

The Role of Faith-based and Community Organizations in Providing Relief and Recovery Services after Hurricanes Katrina and Rita

paffairs@urban.org ( Carol J. De Vita, Fredrica D. Kramer ) — Thu, 22 Jan 2009 00:00:00 EST

This research brief examines the relief and recovery services provided by faith-based and community organizations (FBCOs) in the Gulf Coast region after hurricanes Katrina and Rita in 2005. The study included a telephone survey of 202 FBCOs that provided services and in-depth case studies of eight organizations. The brief explores how FBCOs functioned during this time-i.e., what they did, who they served, and with whom they collaborated-and offers lessons learned for planning for future disasters. The brief summarizes the findings from the full report "The Role of Faith-Based and Community Organizations in Post-Hurricane Human Service Relief Efforts," available at http://www.urban.org/url.cfm?ID=1001245.

The Role of Faith-Based and Community Organizations in Post-Hurricane Human Services Relief Efforts

Thu, 22 Jan 2009 00:00:00 EST

The events surrounding hurricanes Katrina and Rita in 2005 produced one of the largest disaster responses by nongovernmental, charitable organizations, including both faith-based and community organizations (FBCOs). This report is based on a telephone survey of 202 FBCOs that provided disaster-related human services and in-depth, field-based case studies of eight organizational responses after the hurricanes. The survey findings address what types of services were provided, to whom, and the collaborations used by FBCOs to deliver services. The case studies explore what motivated the response in 2005 and suggest how such efforts might connect with the larger disaster response and human service delivery systems to provide needed services in future disasters (For more information, contact Principal Investigators Carol J. De Vita and Fredrica D. Kramer).

Boundaries Between Nonprofits and Business Are Increasingly Blurred, Scholars Say

paffairs@urban.org ( The Urban Institute ) — Wed, 14 Jan 2009 00:00:00 EST

Nonprofits and businesses interact in more and newer ways every year as powerful economic and social forces change. Nonprofits adopt more business-like practices, corporations support nonprofits through cause-related marketing, and social entrepreneurs create private businesses to achieve social goals. Nonprofits and Business, a new Urban Institute Press book, explores these and many other ways the two sectors collaborate, compete, and clash.

Margery Austin Turner to be Vice President for Research at the Urban Institute; Maida Schifter Appointed Corporate Secretary

paffairs@urban.org ( The Urban Institute ) — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 00:00:00 EST

Urban policy expert Margery Austin Turner will become the Urban Institute's vice president for research. Maida Schifter, a senior project manager, will serve as corporate secretary.

The Broader Movement: Nonprofit Environmental and Conservation Organizations, 1989-2005

paffairs@urban.org ( Baird Straughan, Thomas H. Pollak ) — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 00:00:00 EST

This study, the first comprehensive look at IRS data on more than 26,000 environmental and conservation organizations 8,000 of which had revenues of $25,000 or more reveals a core of prominent national organizations and a larger, more rapidly growing universe of regional, local, and other specialized groups. Taken as a whole, the environmental movement expanded in number of organizations, members, and in total revenues almost every year since 1960. It focused less on advocacy than on projects and education, and was younger, more densely networked, and more dependent upon grants and contributions than was the nonprofit sector in general.

Mapping Community Data on Children of Prisoners: Strategies and Insights

paffairs@urban.org ( Diana Brazzell, Nancy G. La Vigne ) — Wed, 08 Oct 2008 00:00:00 EST

Children of incarcerated parents are often an invisible population, but analyzing and mapping local-level data on these children and their parents can help policymakers and advocates better understand their experiences and needs. This brief discusses the mapping of community data on these families, drawing on the experiences and insights of partners in the Urban Institutes Reentry Mapping Network (RMN). The brief discusses the value of analyzing and mapping data on children of incarcerated parents, outlines potential data sources, and explores the process of working with and mapping data on this population.

Tax Policy Center Establishes "Opportunity Fund" to Support Tax System Research and Analysis

paffairs@urban.org ( The Urban Institute ) — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 00:00:00 EST

The Urban-Brookings Tax Policy Center launches a new intellectual venture capital fund to help policymakers, the public and the media better understand the U.S. tax system and the policy challenges facing the nation over the next decade. The $10 millionOpportunity Fund will includea $2.5 million challenge grant from the Gates Foundation.

A Better Way to Deal With the Leadership Crisis

paffairs@urban.org ( Francie Ostrower ) — Fri, 30 May 2008 00:00:00 EST

Too few boards are doing a good job of helping nonprofit grops carry out their missions, explains Francie Ostrower in this Chronicle of Philanthropy commentary. They need to be more active in fund raising, monitoring programs, community relations, educating the public, and monitoring the board's own performance.

Community-Based Nonprofits Serving Ethnic Populations in the Washington, D.C., Metropolitan Area

paffairs@urban.org ( Carol J. De Vita, Alicia Lee ) — Thu, 22 May 2008 00:00:00 EST

This brief profiles community-based nonprofits in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area that are helping newcomers adjust to their new social and political environment, while affirming their cultural identities. The brief focuses on nonprofit groups that serve Asian, Middle Eastern and African populations and examines the characteristics of these organizations in terms of their number, size, location, and scope of activities. The findings provide a unique picture of the community-based resources that are helping immigrants incorporate into American life.

Civil Society Structures Serving Latinos in the Washington, D.C., Metropolitan Area

paffairs@urban.org ( Guillermo Cantor, Carol J. De Vita ) — Thu, 22 May 2008 00:00:00 EST

Over the past decade the Washington, D.C., metropolitan area has become increasingly diverse, driven in large part by the growth of the Latino population. By 2006, almost 610,000 Latinos lived in the region. Today's immigrants, like those before them, contribute to the development of civil society organizations and rely on them for services and activities. Yet little is known about these organizations and the ways they help newcomers build and engage in civil society. This brief provides an overview of nonprofits and religious congregations in the Washington, D.C. region that focus on providing services and support to the Latino population.

Child Care Centers, Child Care Vouchers, and Faith-Based Organizations

paffairs@urban.org ( Monica Rohacek, Gina Adams, Kathleen Snyder ) — Wed, 14 May 2008 00:00:00 EST

Faith-based providers are key in delivering child care services overall and for children receiving child care vouchers, though data are scarce in this area. Using data from a survey of a representative sample of centers and site visits in five counties in 2003-4, this report examines the role of faith-based organizations in center-based child care, the extent to which centers affiliated with faith-based organizations care for children receiving vouchers, and whether such providers face barriers to working with the voucher system. The paper is part of the Urban Institutes Child Care Providers and the Child Care Voucher System project.

Facts and Figures from the Nonprofit Almanac 2008 : Public Charities, Giving, and Volunteering

paffairs@urban.org ( Amy Blackwood, Kennard Wing, Thomas H. Pollak ) — Mon, 12 May 2008 00:00:00 EST

This brief highlights trends from the seventh edition of "The Nonprofit Almanac 2008", prepared by the National Center for Charitable Statistics at the Urban Institute. The Almanac is the latest in the Urban Institute's series of statistical profiles of the nonprofit sector and focuses primarily on 501(c)(3) public charities. We also highlight key findings on private charitable contributions and volunteering, two vital components of the nonprofit sector. This brief includes the most recent available data (2005 and 2006).

Boards of Midsize Nonprofits: Their Needs and Challenges

paffairs@urban.org ( Francie Ostrower ) — Thu, 08 May 2008 00:00:00 EST

Nonprofit boards are receiving increased attention from policymakers, media, researchers and the public. Yet most research, policy proposals, and best practice guidelines have been oriented toward large organizations. This brief helps fill a major gap in our understanding by focusing on governance among midsize nonprofits, identifying certain problem areas, and suggesting strategies that those engaged with midsize nonprofits may find helpful in strengthening their boards. The discussion uses data on the subset of 1,862 midsize organizations in our Urban Institute National Survey of Nonprofit Governance, the first national representative study of nonprofit governance.

"Disturbing Levels of CEO Dissatisfaction With Board Performance" at Midsize Nonprofits, Study Finds

paffairs@urban.org ( The Urban Institute ) — Thu, 08 May 2008 00:00:00 EST

Most heads of midsize nonprofits give their trustees low marks for fundraising and monitoring board performance, an Urban Institute study of nonprofits with annual expenses between $500,000 and $5 million has found.

New Edition of Nonprofit Almanac Offers Detailed Portrait of an Expanding Sector

paffairs@urban.org ( The Urban Institute ) — Fri, 02 May 2008 00:00:00 EST

The Nonprofit Almanac 2008, from the Urban Institute Press, offers data and facts charting the sectors recent evolution. The statistics-packed volume can help nonprofit managers, researchers, the press, and the public better understand changes in the sector and its economic role.

Nonprofits Serving the Latino Community in the Washington, D.C., Metropolitan Area : A Portrait of Their Features and Activities

paffairs@urban.org ( Guillermo Cantor ) — Fri, 11 Apr 2008 00:00:00 EST

This working paper offers a descriptive analysis of the Latino nonprofit sector in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area. It examines the extent to which Latino nonprofits are equipped to address the needs of a rapidly growing Latino population. The study finds that both nonprofit organizations and religious congregations that primarily serve Latinos offer a wide range of services. Many of these groups are located in the suburbs. While Latino nonprofits constitute a significant economic presence in the region, the majority of organizations remain small. Data on nonprofits are drawn from the National Center for Charitable Statistics, and data on churches were collected by telephone survey.

What Drives Foundation Expenses & Compensation? : Results of a Three-Year Study -- Highlights

Tue, 12 Feb 2008 00:00:00 EST

This brief presents key findings from the latest report on the Foundation Expenses and Compensation Project - the first large-scale, long-term, systematic study of independent, corporate, and community foundations' expenses and compensation patterns and the factors behind them. It documents how differences in type, size, and operating activities of foundations affect their finances and charitable administrative expenses. This brief highlights the key findings of the full report, "What Drives Foundation Expenses and Compensation?: Results of a Three-Year Study."

What Drives Foundation Expenses and Compensation? : Results of a Three-Year Study

Thu, 07 Feb 2008 00:00:00 EST

This study presents the findings of a three-year study to analyze the expense and compensation patterns of the 10,000 largest foundations in the United States. It finds characteristics such as foundation type, size, and operating activities are important factors for understanding differences in foundation finances. Despite the economic downturn and the volatility of the stock market during the study years (2001 to 2003), the patterns of foundation expenses and compensation are clear and consistent over time. This is the first large-scale, long-term, and systematic study of independent, corporate, and community foundations expenses and compensation patterns and the factors behind them.

New Report Identifies Characteristics That Drive Foundation Spending Patterns : Findings Based on the First Long-Term Study of Foundation Expenses and Compensation

paffairs@urban.org ( The Urban Institute ) — Thu, 07 Feb 2008 00:00:00 EST

Foundation type, size, staffing patterns, and operating activities are the key factors that consistently drive foundation expense and compensation patterns, according to a new report issued jointly by the Urban Institute, the Foundation Center, and GuideStar. Moreover, even under changing or volatile economic conditions, the administrative expense and compensation patterns of U.S. foundations are consistent and predictable, the new report shows.

Retaining Older Volunteers Is Key to Meeting Future Volunteer Needs

paffairs@urban.org ( Barbara Butrica, Richard W. Johnson, Sheila R. Zedlewski ) — Thu, 13 Dec 2007 00:00:00 EST

The boomers' impending retirement has spurred interest in tapping their productive energies to benefit society. This study examines older adults' decisions to stop or start formal volunteer work. The findings show that older adults usually stick with their original decisions, but more often stop than start volunteering. Volunteers who contribute a lot of hours over many years and who are married to volunteers are less likely to quit. And nonvolunteers are more likely to start volunteering if they have been uninvolved for few years and their spouses volunteer. The results highlight the importance of volunteer retention strategies for nonprofit agencies.

Volunteer Transitions among Older Americans

paffairs@urban.org ( Barbara Butrica, Richard W. Johnson, Sheila R. Zedlewski ) — Thu, 13 Dec 2007 00:00:00 EST

As the nation ages, older adults' volunteer activities are becoming increasingly important This study uses longitudinal data from a nationally representative survey to examine entries into and exits from volunteer activities by adults age 55 to 65. The findings reveal considerable persistence among both volunteers and nonvolunteers; however, older adults are more likely to stop volunteering than to start. Duration and intensity of volunteering, as well as marriage to a volunteer, are strong predictors of continued volunteer activities. And, the time spent away from volunteer activities, as well as marriage to a nonvolunteer decreases the odds of volunteer starts.

Will Boomer Retirees Form a New Army of Volunteers?

paffairs@urban.org ( The Urban Institute ) — Thu, 13 Dec 2007 00:00:00 EST

As the first phalanx of the 76 million-strong baby boom generation begins turning 62 and receiving Social Security benefits January 1, will they create a massive army of willing and able volunteers? Researchers from the Urban Institute's Retirement Project examine this question in three new research briefs.

Are We Taking Full Advantage of Older Adults' Potential?

paffairs@urban.org ( Sheila R. Zedlewski, Barbara Butrica ) — Thu, 13 Dec 2007 00:00:00 EST

Staying engaged in work and formal volunteer activities at older ages significantly benefits the well-being of the volunteers, the organizations that count on them, the people served by those organizations, and the economy. This study, based on data from the Health and Retirement Survey, shows that over 10 million healthy older adults with no caregiving responsibilities did not work or volunteer in 2004. About half of these able seniors are under age 75 and 9 out of 10 have prior work experience. Given this untapped potential, shortages of volunteers and workers should prompt employers and nonprofits to court this talent.

Evaluation of Florida's Faith- and Character-Based Institutions

paffairs@urban.org ( Nancy G. La Vigne, Diana Brazzell, Kevonne M. Small ) — Fri, 19 Oct 2007 00:00:00 EST

This report summarizes findings from a process and impact evaluation of two of Florida's Faith- and Character-based Institutions (FCBIs). The FCBI model is designed to rehabilitate adult prisoners by offering a vast array of faith and self betterment programs that are delivered by community volunteers. The UI research team gathered and analyzed data from: (1) one-on-one, semi-structured interviews with facility administrators, correctional officers, program staff, chaplains, and volunteers; (2) focus groups with inmates housed in the FCBIs; (3) administrative data on FCBI and general population inmates; (4) official documents; and (5) telephone and email communications with state corrections officials.

Blurring the Line Between Charities and Businesses

paffairs@urban.org ( C. Eugene Steuerle ) — Tue, 09 Oct 2007 00:00:00 EST

In this Washington Post commentary, senior fellow Eugene Steuerle argues that the increased collaboration and competition between businesses and nonprofits calls for a continuous reexamination of tax laws governing charitable giving and charitable status.

An Ever-More Charitable Society?

paffairs@urban.org ( C. Eugene Steuerle ) — Tue, 02 Oct 2007 00:00:00 EST

As time goes on, more conflicts seem to flair between charities and businesses, but collaboration is also occurring like never before. These new collaborations and conflicts, and consequent legislative attempts to ensure that charities really are "charitable," can be tricky. But before attempting to judge all these attractions and repulsions between the two sectors, let's hold our peace and ask what is fostering these new relationships in the first place.

Rebecca Blank and Jeremy Travis Join The Urban Institute's Board of Trustees

paffairs@urban.org ( The Urban Institute ) — Wed, 26 Sep 2007 00:00:00 EST

One of the nation's leading experts on poverty and a pioneer in the study of prisoners returning to society have been elected to the Urban Institutes Board of Trustees.

Whether Charitable Organizations Serve the Needs of Diverse Communities : Testimony Before the U.S. House Ways and Means Subcommittee on Oversight

paffairs@urban.org ( Elizabeth T. Boris ) — Tue, 25 Sep 2007 00:00:00 EST

While an estimated 40 percent of nonprofits focus on the economically disadvantaged (half or more of their clients), few nonprofits serve that proportion of ethnic and racial populations, Elizabeth Boris told the House Ways and Means Oversight Subcommittee. Her testimony addressed five key questions: Who gives, how much, and to whom? Who benefits from charitable contributions? How do charities and foundations identify the needs of their communities? Are there gaps between needs and services? How can we improve the quality and scope of data on charitable beneficiaries?

The Need for Longer-term Services after Disasters

paffairs@urban.org ( Elaine Morley, Carol J. De Vita ) — Fri, 31 Aug 2007 00:00:00 EST

The extent of our nation's preparedness to address large-scale disasters will likely receive renewed attention around the anniversaries of Hurricane Katrina and the attacks of 9/11. This commentary recommends that disaster planning address not only the immediate and short-term responses to disaster, but also the longer-term social service needs of disaster victims, such as mental health services and case management. The Urban Institute's study of the American Red Cross September 11th Recovery Program provides a sense of the need for such services and their value to those affected by disaster. Integrating longer-term recovery services into disaster planning can help ensure their availability in the wake of future disasters.

Providing Long-Term Services after Major Disasters

paffairs@urban.org ( Carol J. De Vita, Elaine Morley ) — Thu, 16 Aug 2007 00:00:00 EST

Nonprofit organizations are a crucial link in our nations emergency preparedness and disaster response efforts, but their role is not always well integrated into disaster planning. After both Hurricane Katrina and 9/11, nonprofits provided immediate and longer-term assistance to help people cope with devastating life changes and the emotional aftermath, but the importance of long-term services is not well understood or even acknowledged by victims and policymakers alike. This brief highlights the lessons learned from the Urban Institutes assessment of the American Red Cross September 11th Recovery Program, which provided grants to community-based organizations to provide longer-term case management, mental health services, and other services to facilitate recovery to eligible individuals.

A Method for Measuring and Partially Testing "Charitability", 3 of 3 parts : Some Complexities

paffairs@urban.org ( C. Eugene Steuerle ) — Mon, 06 Aug 2007 00:00:00 EST

In this series so far, I have suggested that it is possible to test "charitability" at least in terms of transfers of resources from some class of donors to some class of recipients by using a balance sheet approach to identifying how those donors and recipients match up. After all, they should be equal in size. Now I will examine two additional complications past charitable contributions and transfers from governmentand then conclude by reexamining some of the objections to the approach I have suggested.

A Method for Measuring and Partially Testing "Charitability", Second of Three Parts : Applying the Tool

paffairs@urban.org ( C. Eugene Steuerle ) — Mon, 30 Jul 2007 00:00:00 EST

All charities claim to be performing some good for others or for society. These "outputs" require inputs of charitable resources. Nongovernmental sources can be divided broadly into two major categories: financial or real capital, and volunteer labor. These contributions of money or property and time are typically tax favored. This article examines how the balance sheet exercise matching uses and sources of charitable "resources" can serve as a cross-check for how charitable an organization is.

A Method for Measuring and Partially Testing "Charitability", First of Three Parts : Balancing Uses and Sources of Charitable Funds

paffairs@urban.org ( C. Eugene Steuerle ) — Mon, 23 Jul 2007 00:00:00 EST

How charitable are charities? Can a charity that provides education or healthcare and has no profits be "noncharitable"? The Senate Finance and House Ways and Means committees think those questions are so important that they have been examining whether and when nonprofit hospitals deserve tax exemption. Many state and local governments have done likewise. And apart from any possible action of the IRS or Congress or state legislatures, Independent Sector and other institutions serving and monitoring charities have been giving increased attention to how charities can more effectively achieve their charitable purposes. Even if there were no outside pressures, the community of consultants and advisers to charities would seek to find ways to measure success by more than sustainable budgets or outputs such as meals served or babies delivered. All those efforts at one level or the other raise the important and sensitive issue of measurement. I contend that there is one powerful tool that could be used by many nonprofit organizations to try to more effectively measure at least in one important respect whether they are "charitable" and, to some degree, the extent of their charitability. The measurement tool I suggest charities use is nothing more than the accountants most powerful tool: the balance sheet. However, the balancing exercise I am recommending goes beyond the traditional balancing of assets and liabilities and to what I will call the uses and sources of resources intended to achieve private charitable transfers.

Five Questions for Francie Ostrower

paffairs@urban.org ( Francie Ostrower ) — Thu, 19 Jul 2007 00:00:00 EST

Francie Ostrower, senior research associate in UI's Center on Nonprofits and Philanthropy, discusses the challenges of nonprofit governance and the implications of her recently published national survey of nonprofit boards, "Nonprofit Governance in the United States: Findings on Performance and Accountability" from the First National Representative Study.

Nonprofit Governance in the United States : Findings on Performance and Accountability from the First National Representative Study

paffairs@urban.org ( Francie Ostrower ) — Mon, 25 Jun 2007 00:00:00 EST

Nonprofit boards are increasingly a focus of those interested in greater accountability and transparency, including policymakers, media, and the public. To help inform current policy debates and initiatives to strengthen nonprofit governance, in 2005 the Urban Institute conducted the first ever national representative survey of nonprofit governance, with over 5,100 participants. This report presents survey findings, discussing: relationships between public policy and governance, factors that promote or impede boards' performance of basic stewardship responsibilities, board composition and factors associated with board diversity, and recruitment processes, including the difficulty experienced by many nonprofits in finding members.

Insular Boards Guide Many Nonprofits

paffairs@urban.org ( The Urban Institute ) — Mon, 25 Jun 2007 00:00:00 EST

Many nonprofit boards are cut off from the public they serve by an ethnically homogenous membership and a failure to engage in externally oriented activities, says a new Urban Institute study.