Graduate Research Papers

Availability

Open Access Graduate Research Paper

Abstract

Today, nonprofit organizations and foundations in the United States need to think about how they operate and put into place ethically sound business strategies to earn and maintain public trust. The Iowa Principles and Practices for Charitable Nonprofit Excellence, developed in 2004, identifies ways to help make Iowa's charitable nonprofit organizations more effective in their operations, and provides an excellent framework for accountability.

The purpose of this study was to conduct a comprehensive literature review in order to determine the degree of implementation among private foundations in Iowa pertaining to the Iowa Principles and Practices for Charitable Nonprofit Excellence. This study examined the literature regarding the topics of accountability, transparency, effectiveness, self-regulation, best practices, legal compliance, accreditation, and public trust among private foundations, community foundations, and nonprofit organizations. Experts from the literature review agree that national public perception and trust has diminished for nonprofit organizations and foundations in the United States. Increased scrutiny and charitable reform, led by government and charity watchdogs, has created a culture of nonprofit controversy within the nonprofit field. The need for self-regulation, transparency, and accountability practices among foundations and nonprofit organizations is imminent.

The diminishing public trust and scrutiny of the nonprofit sector in Iowa is suggested for a subsequent study, along with how private foundations in Iowa would be impacted by the implementation of a national accreditation system for private foundations. More research is needed for practitioners to gain insight to how the availability of nonprofit sector resources such as best practices, accountability and legal compliance checklists, accountability guidebooks, and other self-assessment resources help influence accountability, transparency, and self-regulation practices among nonprofit organizations and foundations.

Year of Submission

2007

Degree Name

Master of Arts

Department

School of Health, Physical Education, and Leisure Services

First Advisor

Christopher Edginton

Comments

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Date Original

2007

Object Description

1 PDF file (102 pages)

Language

en

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