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COMM 409/509 Bown

Finding reliable sources - Think Tanks on nonprofits

  • Not all good sources are academic—especially in nonprofit work. Think tanks, news outlets, and nonprofit reports can be goldmines
  • Use library databases for news or to access scholarly and trade publications, and websites like Guidestar or Charity Navigator for nonprofit data.

Possible search terms to use: 

nonprofit governance

philanthropy policy

donor ethics

civil society

nonprofit ethics

donor influence

Think tanks

U.S. Based:

  • Brookings Institution – Public policy, philanthropy, and nonprofit sector analysis. Brookings Research Programs

  • Urban Institute – Center on Nonprofits and Philanthropy – Research on nonprofit trends, donor behavior, and ethics. This is the most directly relevant to nonprofit organizations. Urban Institute has a dedicated center for nonprofit and philanthropy research.

  • Rand Corporation - Conducts research that often intersects with nonprofit interests, such as education, health, and social services, and collaborates with nonprofits like the Boys & Girls Clubs, American Institutes for Research. Nonprofit Focus: RAND is itself a nonprofit and conducts research relevant to nonprofit sectors like education, health, and social equity.

  • Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) - While its primary focus is on strategic and international policy, its work often informs nonprofit advocacy and programming in areas like global health, development, and governance. CSIS includes civil society and NGO-related research, especially in development and humanitarian contexts. CSIS Civil Society Research

International:

  • OECD (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development) – Global nonprofit and civil society data.

  • Chatham House – International policy and nonprofit sector insights.

Be mindful of politically-leaning or influenced organizations.