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Applied projects organizational impact report presented at ARNOVA 11/09
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Applied Projects Organizational Impact Report
Pat LibbyDirector, Institute for Nonprofit Education
and Research
Heather Carpenter Research Assistant, Caster Family Center
for Nonprofit Research
University of San Diego
History: USD Nonprofit Leadership & Management Program
Objective: create a program that would meld theory with practice, not only within the curriculum itself, but through numerous ongoing ways in which the nonprofit and university communities could interact more fluidly and learn from one another.
04/10/23 2Applied Projects Summary
Key Features of the Program
•Faculty of Pracademics•Practitioner student body: Scholarships•Focus on applied learning•International requirement•Intentional learning community•Active advisory board•Focus on continuous improvement, assessment of learning outcomes, community impact
04/10/23 Applied Projects Summary 3
Applied Project Component
•8-10 projects completed per student•3 included in final portfolio•Projects done for student organizations and/or client organizations•Types of projects (board manuals, feasibility studies, bylaws, etc.)•Students work in pairs or teams
04/10/23 Applied Projects Summary 4
Purpose of Applied Projects Study
Determine whether student-led projects had an impact on the nonprofit organizations for which they were developed.
If so, assess the type and duration of that impact.
04/10/23 5Applied Projects Summary
Methods
Stratified random sampling of projects by:Project type (e.g. board manual, community
organizing plan, development/fundraising)Year project was completedProjects included in student portfolios
Interviewed 19 organizations
ExecutivesStaffStudent/ExecutivesStudent/Staff
04/10/23 6Applied Projects Summary
Types of Projects
AdvocacyBoard ManualBoard Assessment/PlanBusiness PlanBylawsCapital Campaign Feasibility StudyCollaborationCommunity Organizing PlanDevelopment/FundraisingEthicsFinanceGovernanceHR ManualMarketingResearch ProjectRisk ManagementStrategic Planning Environmental ScanTechnologyVolunteer Manual
04/10/23 Applied Projects Summary 7
Respondent Organization Demographics
•Size (In total revenue) Number of Projects
•≤ 500,000 (5)•501,000 to 999,999 (5)•1,000,000 to 2,999,999 (5)•≥ 3,000,000 (4)
•Size did not affect project type or project use.
04/10/23 Applied Projects Summary 8
Findings
Motivation for the Project
Team Interaction and Involvement
Project Use
04/10/23 9Applied Projects Summary
Student and Client Motivation for Embarking on the Project
•Diversify funding sources•Be strategic•Attempt to measure impact•Expand relations in the community•Expand facilities•Build an endowment•Develop legislation
•Create and formalize existing policies•Have constituents work together on common issues•Provide support to current staff and volunteers•Reach more constituents•Create a new program04/10/23 10Applied Projects Summary
Team Interaction and Student Involvement with Client Organization
PositivesTeam competence and knowledgeInternal Staff Member (Student-Staff) and
External Volunteer (Student)
NegativesExecutive’s memory of External VolunteerMeetings with organizationTime constraints of completing project within
semester04/10/23 11Applied Projects Summary
Organizational Use of Project by Client Organizations
All projects were used by the organizations in some manner.Secure additional funding
Conduct future business
Template for other work
Thought about work in new way
04/10/23 12Applied Projects Summary
Recommendations from Study Participants
Communication
Team Considerations
Project Scope
04/10/23 13Applied Projects Summary
Communication
1. Increase formal university contact
2. Frequent meetings
3. Follow-up
4. Active listening and communication
04/10/23 14Applied Projects Summary
Team Considerations
1. Team composition
1. Self-disclose strengths and weaknesses
1. Be flexible
04/10/23 15Applied Projects Summary
Project Scope
1. Maximize project time
1. Select manageable projects
1. Ensure students select topics they enjoy
04/10/23 16Applied Projects Summary
Conclusions
Applied projects orientation manual
Survey organizations
A step forward for the field
Utilize results and recommendations
04/10/23 17Applied Projects Summary