Author: The Aspen Institute

Publication Year:

Media Type: Report

Summary:

Abstract:

Market relationships have grown increasingly important to American nonprofit organizations over the past two decades. These developments open important opportunities, but also raise important issues, for the future evolution of the American nonprofit sector and its ability to promote the public good. To date, however, little explicit attention has been devoted to the trade-offs that may be posed by this increased commercial involvement on the part of nonprofit organizations.

Key conclusions:

Nonprofit involvement in the market can bring considerable benefits to the nonprofit sector and to society at large. At the same time, nonprofit involvement in the market can pose significant risks for the nonprofit sector, the people it serves, and American society more generally. After balancing the risks and benefits, the recent trend toward greater involvement in the market by nonprofit organizations can usefully serve the public good that nonprofit organizations are designed to promote. To take advantage of the benefits that nonprofit involvement with the market can bring while minimizing the risks, it is advised to seek a balance between the advantages that nonprofit organizations enjoy (by virtue of their tax-exempt status) and the contribution that they make to the public good.

CONTENTS
Introduction: The Mission of the Nonprofit Sector Strategy Group.
The Nonprofit Sector and the Market: Opportunities and Challenges.
Nonprofit Sector Strategy Group Membership.
Additional Meeting Participants.

Arts & Intersections:

Categories: Community Development