Nonprofits & Research

Ashley Coogan, Eileen Norman, Maceo PerssonPA 744

Medicine

Engineering

Technology

Policy

Laws

Government Programs

Weapons

Environment

Stem Cells

Nuclear Physics

Foundations

Education

Social Service

Global WarmingWelfare

Cloning

Reliability

Validity

Think Tanks

Universities

Advocacy

Overview

Introduction and major contributors to NP Research

History of Nonprofit Involvement in Research

Nonprofit Research – A Commitment to Public Good Why do we care and why ought nonprofits be conducting

research?

Threats to Independence Funding Audience

Political Agenda

The Research Continues On

Big Contributors:Where Research Happens

Institutions – Universities and Hospitals Mostly focus on applied sciences and technology Funded through tuition, fees, and government

Think Tanks Focus on policy and government Contribution to government – academic experts,

contractors, advocates

Foundations Not direct researchers, but funders, guides, and advocates

of research Work with all types of other nonprofits, including

institutions and think tanks to promote and fund research projects/programs

History Progressive Era

Evidence based approach to governance “straddle the gap between basic research and practical applications to

make government work better” (Henig, 2008, p.19)

Post World War II Era Experts at think tanks and universities helping to respond to societal

and policy problems Expansion of research hospitals due to innovations in medicine and

pharmaceuticals Large expansion of think tanks in the 1980s, especially advocacy think

tanks

Currently 2000 think tanks, filling in “gap” left by universities Foundations providing funding Increase in federal funding of nonprofit research

Why Ought Nonprofits be Researchers?

Support of the public good Receiving public support to create goods that

“enrich human happiness” (Evans, p. 156)

Fill the gap of market and government to conduct research that may address the needs of minorities Example: Nonprofit pharmaceutical research

focuses on diseases often overlooked versus for-profit pharma co.’s that are just looking after the bottom line.

Why Ought Nonprofits be Researchers?

More collaborative than competitive Nonprofits work together more and share findings

more willingly to improve and expand on research.

Availability of knowledge to public Informed citizens when deciding/voting on

suggested policies

Availability of Knowledge to Government Provide program evaluation and strategic thinking Provide in-depth policy analysis for policy makers

Debates Objectivity & Political Agendas

Objectivity and Independence

Academic Contract Advocacy

Funding Diversified Govt. Contracts

Diversified & Constituents

Agenda Setting Researchers

Govt. Needs/Agencie

s

Ideology & Constituents

Ideology Neutral Neutral Progressive to Conservative

Threats to Independence Funders may set the agenda

Foundations Provide funding to other NPOs in support of their

mission Set the research agenda for other NPOs,

determine the research emphasis, and distribute supportive results to the public

Hospitals/Universities Direct research toward a selective audience-

peers and grant awarders

Threats to Independence Academic Think Tanks—

Diverse (many funders) or Independent (endowment) funding allows for independence.

Contract Think Tanks— The source of the funding sets the agenda

Advocacy Think Tanks— Can make the difference between being focused

on the ideology or molded to fit a lobbyist agenda

Political Perspective Debate: what relationship should research have with

policy?

Liberal Concerns Research only serving the “status quo” regardless of

the researchers’ intention Top-down, elitist approach to solve policy issues

Conservative Concerns Research is naturally anti-traditional and will lead to a

more liberal agenda Findings may lead to more government involvement to

solve “problems” defined by the researchers

Research as a weapon

Looking to the Future Stay focused on the mission

Strive for diverse and independent funding

Develop standards for funding research

Set up issue networks

Utilize technology to educate the public

Avoid being drawn into partisan politics

Any Questions?