Nonprofit studies is a multidisciplinary field of teaching and research that focuses on practices of the nonprofit sector. This area of inquiry examines the management and effectiveness of the nonprofit sector, and has sub-areas of research including administration, marketing, communication, economics, human resources, ethics, law, information technology, policy, fundraising, advocacy, volunteerism and civic engagement.
A variety of higher education institutions and research organizations are dedicated to the teaching and research of issues related to the nonprofit sector. Degrees related to nonprofit studies are offered at undergraduate, graduate and doctorate levels. Additionally, individual courses within related disciplines (e.g. Business, Sociology, Public Policy) examine nonprofit studies in a variety of contexts.
Nonprofit studies may also refer to studies of the voluntary sector, third sector, or civil society.
Teaching and Learning
Curricula in nonprofit studies programs varies from program to program, but suggestions for curriculum guidelines include the topics of:
In many nonprofit studies programs, experiential learning opportunities complement classroom learning. Students may take part in internships or co-operative education placements where they learn by working alongside staff in a nonprofit workplace. Community-based learning activities such as service-learning, community-based research, and participatory action research can enhance the learning process by combining experiential learning and skill building with critical reflection on self and social/environment injustice.
For a list of articles, reviews, and other citations on nonprofit management education, click here.
For a list of research on nonprofit management education by Mirabella and Wish, click here.
For a general bibliography on nonprofit management education, click here.
ANSERJ - Canadian Journal of Nonprofit and Social Economy Research / Revue canadienne de recherche sur les OSBL et l'économie sociale
International Journal of Nonprofit and Voluntary Sector Marketing
Journal of Nonprofit & Public Sector Marketing
Nonprofit and Voluntary Sector Quarterly
Nonprofit Management & Leadership
VOLUNTAS International Journal of Voluntary and Nonprofit Organizations
Associations and Organizations
Association for Research on Nonprofit Organizations and Voluntary Action (ARNOVA)
Association for Nonprofit and Social Economy Research (ANSER) (Canada)
International Society for Third-Sector Research (ISTR)
Israeli Centre for Third-Sector Research: Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, (Beer Sheva, Israel)
Center for the Study of Philanthropy in Israel: The Hebrew University of Jerusalem (Israel)
John D. Gerhart Center for Philanthropy and Civic Engagement: The American University in Cairo (Egypt)
Centre for Australian Community Organisations and Management: University of Technology, Sydney (Australia)
The Australian Centre for Philanthropy and Nonprofit Studies: Queensland University of Technology (Brisbane, Australia)
Centre for Voluntary Sector Studies: Ryerson University (Toronto, ON)
Institute for Nonprofit Studies: Mount Royal College (Calgary, AB)
School of Policy Studies Public Policy and Third Sector Initiative: Queen's University (Kingston, ON)
Sprott Centre for Social Entreprises / Centre Sprott pour les entreprises sociales (SCSE/CSES): Carleton University, Sprott School of Business (Ottawa, ON)
Centre for Nonprofit Management: Trinity College, University of Dublin (Ireland)
Centre for Nonprofit Sector Research: Masaryk University (Brno, Czech Republic)
Centre for the Study of Philanthropy: VU University Amsterdam
Maecenata Institute for Philanthropy and Civil Society: Humboldt University (Berlin, Germany)
Caster Family Center for Nonprofit Research in the Institute for Nonprofit Education and Research: University of San Diego (CA)
Center for Civil Society: University of California, Los Angeles
Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy: Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis
Center on Philanthropy and Civil Society: The City University of New York (New York, NY)
Center on Philanthropy and Public Policy: University of Southern California (Los Angeles, CA)
Helen Bader Institute for Nonprofit Management: University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
Institute for Human Services & Public Policy: Louisiana State University in Shreveport
Institute for Nonprofit Organization Management: University of San Francisco (CA)
Johns Hopkins Center for Civil Society Studies: Johns Hopkins University (Baltimore, MD)
Lodestar Center for Philanthropy & Nonprofit Innovation: Arizona State University (Phoenix, AZ)
Nancy Bell Evans Center on Nonprofits & Philanthropy: University of New York (New York, NY)
Nonprofit Management: Milano The New School for Management and Urban Policy (New York, NY)
Washington (Seattle, WA)
RGK Center for Philanthropy and Community Service: University of Texas (Austin, TX)
Association for Nonprofit and Social Economy Research (ANSER) Annual Conference (Canada)
Association for Research on Nonprofit Organizations and Voluntary Action (ARNOVA) Annual Conference
Award for Distinguished Achievement and Leadership in Nonprofit and Voluntary Action Research
Gabriel G. Rudney Memorial Award for Outstanding Dissertation in Nonprofit and Voluntary Action Research
Outstanding Article in Nonprofit and Voluntary Sector Quarterly (NVSQ)
Outstanding Book in Nonprofit and Voluntary Action Research
Virginia A. Hodgkinson Research Book Prize
Master / Diploma in Philanthropy and Nonprofit Leadership: Carleton University (Ottawa, ON)
MBA in Nonprofit Management and Leadership: York University (Toronto, ON)
Bachelor of Applied Nonprofit Studies: Mount Royal College (Calgary, AB)
Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy Academic Programs The Lilly Family School of Philanthropy’s degree programs bring together an understanding of how philanthropy works with why people give. The School emphasizes a comprehensive approach to the study of philanthropy in society that gives you the knowledge and understanding to be active in the nonprofit field. This broad approach gives you more choices throughout your life to pursue your passions and improve your community locally or globally. Learn more.
An extensive list of doctoral, masters, and undergraduate nonprofit degree programs in the US has been compiled by Dr. Roseanne Mirabella of Seton Hall University. The list can be found on her website, click here.
Postgraduate Programme in Philanthropic Studies: VU University Amsterdam
