Alan J. Abramson

Collaborating for Usable Knowledge: A Work in Progress by the Nonprofit Sector Research Fund

In response to the persistent gap between scholarly research and “real world” practitioners in the nonprofit sector, the Nonprofit Sector Research Fund (NSRF) of The Aspen Institute launched a series of practitioner-researcher collaborations aimed at producing more usable research. This article provides an overview of NSRF’ scoll aborative programs in the areas of research agenda-setting, grant making, the conduct of research, and dissemination of research findings. It also discusses how NSRF came to adopt this approach, the benefits and challenges presented by collaboration, and ways to overcome these challenges. The authors conclude that despite the difficulties surrounding the collaborative process, collaboration should be attempted in research because it taps the knowledge and experience of both scholars and practitioners to help ensure that research is focused on issues of concern to nonprofit managers and leaders, is methodologically sound, and produces findings that reach appropriate audiences.

Prospects for Nonprofits and Philanthropy in the Trump Presidency

Abstract Based on the limited information currently available about Donald Trump’s plans for his presidency, his tenure looks like it will be a difficult time for the nonprofit sector and philanthropy in the U.S. Nonprofits and philanthropy can expect to face significant challenges from expected tax cuts, spending cuts, and regulatory changes. One of the few bright spots for nonprofits and philanthropy may be possible Trump administration support for new hybrid, double-bottom-line approaches to addressing social problems, and these only partly target the core of the nonprofit sector. Overall, the most profound impact of the Trump ascendance on the country’s nonprofit sector may be to stimulate a reinvigoration of the sector’s civic engagement and advocacy role.