Document Type
Doctor of Education Capstone
Original Publication Date
2023
Client
United Way of Greater Richmond and Petersburg
Location
Greater Richmond and Petersburg
Date of Submission
June 2023
Abstract
In response to a problem of practice presented by the United Way of Greater Richmond and Petersburg, this case study addresses equity in the grant funding and capacity development processes and how small, emergent, grassroots, minority-led nonprofit organizations in one Virginia region are affected. Through the lens of Systems Informed Positive Psychology (SIPP), a convergent mixed-methods approach was used to holistically explore the challenges and needs that these particular nonprofits face. Data was obtained through community conversations which included focus groups, individual interviews, and an online questionnaire coupled with Shumate et al.’s (2017) Nonprofit Capacities Instrument, a validated 45-item survey that provides a benchmark in eight different interrelated dimensions of organizational capacity based on the self-report of participants. We found that these organizations are collectively encountering widespread structural and systemic racism, bureaucratic complexity, and a lack of access to resources as well as relational gaps between themselves and funding agencies. As a result of these challenges, they require change in the historical system, practices, and processes of local philanthropic entities along with open and transparent communication between funders and grantees in conjunction with the cultivation of trust-based relationships which support community resiliency through a humanist commitment. Such findings demonstrate the need for the co-creation of an egalitarian and equitable grant funding model between grantor and grantees utilizing the tenets of a more equitably evolved Collective Impact Framework. Findings from our study also raise empirical, practical, and theoretical implications that warrant future consideration particularly regarding the lack of attention and cultural understanding given to minority-led nonprofit organizations and the trauma-informed care which is needed to support them in serving their communities. Findings also indicate that there is a significant opportunity for the philanthropic sector to mirror recent advancements in education and become more community-and human-centered in the structures, processes, and decisions that are made, which requires systemic change.
Rights
© The Authors
Included in
Educational Leadership Commons, Nonprofit Studies Commons, Other Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons, Social Justice Commons