National Studies and Organizations

An ever-growing number of think tanks and academic centers publish research studies about nonprofit management practices and about the nonprofit sector generally. Listed below are the organizations that consistently publish high quality studies.

National Studies

Organization Name	Information Links
The Center for Effective Philanthropy	Effective Matters: Volume 5, Issue 4 studies that include “A Strategic Plan Is Not Enough for Foundations” and “Stuart Foundation Exemplifies a Strategic Approach to Change”

National Organizations

Organization Name	Description
ARNOVA	A neutral, open forum committed to strengthening the research community in the emerging field of nonprofit and philanthropic studies.
The Aspen Institute’s Program on Philanthropy and Social Innovation	Seeks to inform and maximize the impact of social sector actors through leadership development initiatives, convenings and communications so that each can contribute to the good society at home and abroad
Bridgespan	Helps nonprofits and philanthropy achieve breakthrough strategy, leadership and results
The Center for Civil Society Studies at Johns Hopkins University’s Institute for Policy Studies	Seeks to improve understanding and the effective functioning of not-for-profit, philanthropic or “civil society” organizations in the United States and throughout the world in order to enhance the contribution these organizations can make to democracy and the quality of human life.
The Center on Nonprofits and Philanthropy at the Urban Institute	Conducts and disseminates research on the role and impact of nonprofit organizations and philanthropy.
The Center on Philanthropy at Indiana University	Moving philanthropy forward in the 21st century, its cutting-edge programs and initiatives provide nonprofits, donors and scholars with the resources they need to make a difference.
CompassPoint	A consulting, research and training organization providing nonprofits with management tools, strategies and resources to lead change in their communities.
The Hauser Center for Nonprofit Organizations at Harvard University	Engaging leading practitioners and enhancing the contribution of new scholarship to their work, resources are focused on a few, carefully chosen domains.
Independent Sector	The leadership forum for charities, foundations and corporate giving programs committed to advancing the common good in America and around the world.
The National Center for Charitable Statistics (NCCS)	The national clearinghouse of data on the nonprofit sector in the United States.
National Center on Nonprofit Enterprise	Helps nonprofits make wise economic decisions.
The Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life	Promotes a deeper understanding of issues at the intersection of religion and public affairs.
Pew Partnership for Civic Change	A civic research organization that provides consulting and program support to communities, governments, foundations and nonprofit agencies.

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