Research
Since its founding, the Center has been engaged in seminal research that considers a broad range of policy and leadership issues relevant to nonprofit practitioners. Through a series of collaborative research initiatives with a range of organizations, the Center’s Waldemar A. Nielsen Chair in Philanthropy, faculty, visiting practitioners, and students continue to develop a base of knowledge on effective policies and practices leading to vibrant and healthy organizations and communities.
Recent Publications
The Arts Forward Fund provided two rounds of grantmaking in 2020 and 2021 to serve BIPOC-led organizations in the arts and culture space in the DC Region. As a funder collaborative, the Fund provided relief to traditionally underserved nonprofits during COVID recovery. This case study is an examination of the Arts Forward Fund and their success in introducing equity-focused approaches to philanthropy in a time of crisis. It also provides recommendations on what current and future funder collaboratives can learn from this two-year grantmaking effort. Click here to download.
AI Readiness Toolkit for Nonprofits. This practical resource is designed to help nonprofit organizations navigate the opportunities and risks of artificial intelligence. The toolkit offers clear guidance on AI fundamentals, organizational self-assessment tools, policy templates, and real-world use cases to support ethical, mission-aligned adoption of AI. It includes curated resources for further learning, implementation checklists, and frameworks to guide internal decision-making. Ideal for nonprofit leaders seeking to build AI literacy, assess readiness, and implement responsible AI strategies. Click here to download.
Explore the interactive AI Readiness Toolkit Website
Publications Archive
Click here to access the publications archive.