Post on 18-Jan-2016
transcript
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?