Applied Projects Organizational Impact Report

Pat LibbyDirector, Institute for Nonprofit Education

and Research

Heather Carpenter Research Assistant, Caster Family Center

for Nonprofit Research

University of San Diego

History: USD Nonprofit Leadership & Management Program

Objective: create a program that would meld theory with practice, not only within the curriculum itself, but through numerous ongoing ways in which the nonprofit and university communities could interact more fluidly and learn from one another.

04/10/23 2Applied Projects Summary

Key Features of the Program

•Faculty of Pracademics•Practitioner student body: Scholarships•Focus on applied learning•International requirement•Intentional learning community•Active advisory board•Focus on continuous improvement, assessment of learning outcomes, community impact

04/10/23 Applied Projects Summary 3

Applied Project Component

•8-10 projects completed per student•3 included in final portfolio•Projects done for student organizations and/or client organizations•Types of projects (board manuals, feasibility studies, bylaws, etc.)•Students work in pairs or teams

04/10/23 Applied Projects Summary 4

Purpose of Applied Projects Study

Determine whether student-led projects had an impact on the nonprofit organizations for which they were developed.

If so, assess the type and duration of that impact.

04/10/23 5Applied Projects Summary

Methods

Stratified random sampling of projects by:Project type (e.g. board manual, community

organizing plan, development/fundraising)Year project was completedProjects included in student portfolios

Interviewed 19 organizations

ExecutivesStaffStudent/ExecutivesStudent/Staff

04/10/23 6Applied Projects Summary

Types of Projects

AdvocacyBoard ManualBoard Assessment/PlanBusiness PlanBylawsCapital Campaign Feasibility StudyCollaborationCommunity Organizing PlanDevelopment/FundraisingEthicsFinanceGovernanceHR ManualMarketingResearch ProjectRisk ManagementStrategic Planning Environmental ScanTechnologyVolunteer Manual

04/10/23 Applied Projects Summary 7

Respondent Organization Demographics

•Size (In total revenue) Number of Projects

•≤ 500,000 (5)•501,000 to 999,999 (5)•1,000,000 to 2,999,999 (5)•≥ 3,000,000 (4)

•Size did not affect project type or project use.

04/10/23 Applied Projects Summary 8

Findings

Motivation for the Project

Team Interaction and Involvement

Project Use

04/10/23 9Applied Projects Summary

Student and Client Motivation for Embarking on the Project

•Diversify funding sources•Be strategic•Attempt to measure impact•Expand relations in the community•Expand facilities•Build an endowment•Develop legislation

•Create and formalize existing policies•Have constituents work together on common issues•Provide support to current staff and volunteers•Reach more constituents•Create a new program04/10/23 10Applied Projects Summary

Team Interaction and Student Involvement with Client Organization

PositivesTeam competence and knowledgeInternal Staff Member (Student-Staff) and

External Volunteer (Student)

NegativesExecutive’s memory of External VolunteerMeetings with organizationTime constraints of completing project within

semester04/10/23 11Applied Projects Summary

Organizational Use of Project by Client Organizations

All projects were used by the organizations in some manner.Secure additional funding

Conduct future business

Template for other work

Thought about work in new way

04/10/23 12Applied Projects Summary

Recommendations from Study Participants

Communication

Team Considerations

Project Scope

04/10/23 13Applied Projects Summary

Communication

1. Increase formal university contact

2. Frequent meetings

3. Follow-up

4. Active listening and communication

04/10/23 14Applied Projects Summary

Team Considerations

1. Team composition

1. Self-disclose strengths and weaknesses

1. Be flexible

04/10/23 15Applied Projects Summary

Project Scope

1. Maximize project time

1. Select manageable projects

1. Ensure students select topics they enjoy

04/10/23 16Applied Projects Summary

Conclusions

Applied projects orientation manual

Survey organizations

A step forward for the field

Utilize results and recommendations

04/10/23 17Applied Projects Summary