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Stanford Project on the Evolution of Nonprofits (SPEN)
Research Questions
Specific questions researchers seek to examine include:
- What are the characteristics of these organizations, including type and timing of funding received, mission, founding conditions (how the team was put together, initial financing), business or revenue model (including memberships or revenue-producing activities), human resources policies, programmatic activities, and client base?
- What are the market and political environments in which these organizations operate, and to what extent do they collaborate with or compete with organizations that do not have a social mission?
- What impact do different types of philanthropic funding—traditional foundation grants, corporate grants, venture philanthropy, government grants, individual gifts, and mixed funding sources—have on the organizational development and behavior of emerging social purpose organizations?
- What resources must be invested to secure funding and provide adequate stewardship and reporting to funders?
- How are nonprofit organizations measuring their performance?
- What local, regional, national, or international networks with individuals and institutions do nonprofits create to conduct their missions?
