Document Type

Doctor of Education Capstone

Original Publication Date

2024

Client

Peter Paul Development Center

Location

Richmond, Virginia

Date of Submission

May 2024

Abstract

Peter Paul Development Center (Peter Paul) submitted a Request for Assistance (RFA) to obtain support from a Virginia Commonwealth University Doctorate of Educational Leadership (EdD) Capstone team with documenting programming and principles and evaluating them consistently. To address this request, the team analyzed the context and problem of practice through document review, empathy interviews, partner discussions and site visits. The literature review helped the team design and conduct research, fieldwork, and data analysis to support Peter Paul in standardizing procedures and programs, fostering a culture of institutional knowledge, and effectively communicating impact to stakeholders. The team used a Convergent Parallel mixed method research design. The team conducted interviews, site observations, a culture assessment, and a document review. Findings center around a need for increased communication about programs, institutional knowledge, and data demonstrating their impact. By examining the role of these elements in reshaping organizational identity and creating a sustainable work model, the study offers practical insights for Peter Paul’s leaders on how to define their identity or “secret sauce,” operational efficiency, and long-term sustainability in a competitive nonprofit landscape.

Keywords: culture, impact, institutional knowledge, knowledge management, nonprofit, organizational culture, organizational effectiveness, organizational identity, standardizing programs and procedures, “secret sauce,” sustainability

Rights

© The Authors

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