Casey Fleming is presenting current research at the annual Association for Research on Nonprofit Organizations and Voluntary Action later this month in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
Using survey experiments, this project investigates the effects of nonprofits’ engagement in specific activities on potential donors’ willingness to volunteer or contribute financially. These activities include highly commercial “business-like” revenue strategies (in contrast to traditional, highly donative approaches) and advocacy-based missions (rather than direct service traditionally associated with charities). This work tests competing theories, including “crowding out”—which suggests donors reward nonprofits they view as more entrepreneurial or sustainable—and “crowding in”—which holds that donors give to nonprofits perceived to “need it more.” Findings provide insight into how nonprofit leaders can more effectively communicate their activities and missions in their appeals for support.