Racial Justice in the Nonprofit Sector: Addressing Nonprofit Sustainability in Diverse Communities

Abstract

Nonprofit organizations in the United States depend upon a diverse set of funding streams to sustain their operations. This study will consist of revisiting the 2011 Nonprofit Management and Leadership article “Nonprofit Sustainability During Times of Uncertainty,” which examined the ability of nonprofits to leverage funds from the private sector during the 2008 economic downturn, with specific attention on how nonprofits incorporated board members and community leaders in continuing services during a time of resource scarcity. This 2011 study also received the journal’s “Best of the 2010s” award. This current research expands upon that article by investigating the intersection between racial justice and nonprofit sustainability, as well as additional questions related to racial justice, through the utilization of a case study site, Gary, IN. Implications of the findings include the greater role community foundations play in sustaining nonprofits in diverse communities, as well as in facilitating broader social justice initiatives.

Keywords:

• Racial justice
• economic development
• nonprofit
• community

Acknowledgments

The authors want to extend their appreciation and thanks to all nonprofit executives and administrators who graciously agreed to participate in this study. They provided us with compelling and thoughtful information with regard to succession planning and issues surrounding this subject matter. We would also like to be the associated research assistants.

Ethical approval

The research received appropriate university IRB approval with exempt status.

Correction Statement

This article has been corrected with minor changes. These changes do not impact the academic content of the article.