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
In an era defined by deep polarization and isolation, where do communities find connection, safety, and shared purpose? In January 2026, the Center for Public and Nonprofit Leadership at Georgetown University partnered with the Festival Center to answer this question. Drawing from research, interviews, and stakeholder conversations, the field paper asserts that place-based community hubs are an essential form of civic infrastructure, engaging in three core activities – providing community care, deepening the capacity of nonprofit ecosystems, and seeding collaborations in strengthening civic life. The paper concludes with a series of questions intended to support reflection and discussion among nonprofit leaders, funders, researchers, and stakeholders in the private, public, academic and governmental sectors.
The growing uncertainty of government-philanthropic partnerships at the federal level has prompted philanthropic organizations to turn to state and local governments in order to address emerging community needs. To better understand the forms these relationships are taking, Ryann Alonso analyzed recent survey data from Grantmakers in Health members and conducted interviews with senior staff from the following four organizations: Jacob and Hilda Foundation, Vitalyst Health Foundation, Michigan Health Endowment Fund, and Connecticut Health Foundation. Alonso’s findings underscore the value of institutionalizing long-term partnerships, funding the gap, uplifting community solutions, and meeting partners where they are. This white paper complements the Grantmakers In Health Funder Collaboration Survey Report, which researches the key successes, persistent challenges, and opportunities that health funders have experienced amid deep cuts to health and social services.
What happens to communities when their last local newsroom shuts down?
On July 18, 2025, the U.S. Congress rescinded $1.1 billion in previously approved federal funding for public media. One year later, this project examines how the cuts could further deepen the local news crisis. It shows how public media serves as a lifeline for reliable local information, particularly in underserved communities where few other news sources remain. Drawing on her experience in national and community journalism, Carol Rangel developed this project to encourage a more strategic philanthropic response. Alongside the white paper, Carol created an interactive tool that helps funders identify communities where limited local news access and dependence on federal support may create the greatest need for targeted investment.
Access the Public Media and Local News
Risk Screening Dashboard
In 2021, The Wild Gifting Project (TWGP) was launched with a “wild” goal: to invest directly in people and empower them to engage in projects that aligned with their values. As a private operating foundation, TWGP combines trust-based, unrestricted, general operating support grants with direct investments in charitable work through programs, partnerships, and community-led initiatives. After five years of giving, TWGP undertook an evaluative process to better understand the impact of its model on funded partners and the communities that they serve. Drawing on survey data, interviews, and internal conversations, Cassandra Guerena traces the evolution of the foundation from its inception to its current funding model. Guerena offers recommendations so that other philanthropic practitioners can consider implementing parts of the model.
International education development is at an inflexion point, and the leadership the sector has long relied on is no longer enough. Drawing on candid interviews with ten senior leaders across bilateral agencies, multilaterals, INGOs, and philanthropy, including the Global Partnership for Education, Google.org, and Enabel, Doris Mwikali makes the case for a leadership grounded in strategic foresight, a values-driven culture, bold partnerships, and systems thinking. Drawing on her experience as a lawyer and global policy professional at UNICEF, UNESCO, and the IFRC, Doris offers a framework that is both empirically rigorous and designed for practitioners navigating the field today.
Rural community organizing is distinct from that of other areas. Organizers there have different organizing tactics and practices than those in urban or suburban areas. This research, based on qualitative interviews with organizers working in rural areas, examines what makes rural civic engagement efforts succeed and how they are unique. The accompanying toolkit offers approaches to relational organizing, community partnership-building, and creating pathways for residents to be change agents within their own communities.
Read Transformative Rural Organizing Practices
Philanthropic leader and recent Waldemar A. Nielsen Philanthropy Fellow, Judy Belk, shares her experience and those of other nonprofit leaders on leading when scared.
Judy asks readers to consider,“what am I scared of?,” and take steps to lead with purpose in the face of challenging circumstances. Rooted in lived experiences, Judy offers tips on overcoming your fears and embracing your courage mojo.
“Now, I look for opportunities to be bold and unafraid in big and small ways. My gut still does a flip, but I find that the more I use my courage muscle, the less scared I am.“
Publications Archive
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