Nonprofit Organizations and Civil Society in the United States

LeRoux and Feeney's Nonprofit Organizations and Civil Society in the United States makes a departure from existing nonprofit texts on the market: rather than focus on management, it focuses on nonprofit organizations and their contributions to the social, political, and economic dimensions of society. The book also covers the nexus between nonprofits and civil society. This text offers a theory-oriented undergraduate introduction to the nonprofit field and an examination of the multifaceted roles these organizations play in American society. Cover Half Title Title Page Copyright Page Dedication Brief Contents Table of Contents Preface Acknowledgments Section I Introduction to the Nonprofit Sector & Civil Society 1 Defining the Nonprofit Sector and Civil Society Introduction Terms Used to Describe the Nonprofit Sector Civil Society Size and Scope of the US Nonprofit Sector Tax-Exempt Status National Taxonomy of Exempt Entities Classification The Blurring Boundaries of the Nonprofit Sector Distinguishing Characteristics of the Nonprofit Sector Nonprofit Similarities with For-Profit and Public Organizations Key Terms Discussion Questions Activity Websites Additional Reading Notes 2 Historical and Legal Foundations of the Nonprofit Sector Introduction Values of the Nonprofit Sector and Civil Society The Roots of Nonprofits in American Social Life The Roots of Nonprofits in American Politics The Roots of Nonprofits in America’s Economy The Legal Framework for Nonprofit Organizations Summary Key Terms Discussion Questions Activity Additional Reading Notes 3 Theories of the Nonprofit Sector Introduction What Is a Theory? Economic Theories Market Failure Perspectives Government Failure Theory Government-Nonprofit Partnership Theory Criticisms of Economic Theories Non-Economic Theories Theory of the Commons Mediating Theory Pluralism and Collective Action Theories Summary Key Terms Discussion Questions Activity Additional Reading Notes Section II The Nonprofit Sector in Civil Society 4 Nonprofits and Community-Building Introduction Understanding the Relationship between Civil Society and Nonprofit Organizations Institutions Ideas, Action, and Organizations Social Capital, Civil Society, and Nonprofits The Importance of Social Capital for Community-Building Voluntary Associations and Local Civic Groups The Role of Technology in Modern Civil Society Summary Key Terms Discussion Questions Activity Additional Video Teaching Materials for CeaseFire Example Notes 5 Community Service and Voluntary Action Introduction Volunteering and Social Capital Who Volunteers? Motivations for Volunteering Altruistic Explanations Egoistic Explanations Coercive Explanations Finding the Right Fit The Role of Technology in Volunteering Summary Key Terms Discussion Questions Websites Notes 6 Philanthropy, Foundations, and Giving Introduction Foundations The History of Foundations The Modern US Foundation Sector Types of Foundations The Functions of Foundations Giving in the US Who Gives? Who Benefits from Giving? Why Do People Give? The Role of Technology in Giving Summary Key Terms Discussion Questions Websites Additional Reading Notes Section III Political, Social, & Economic Aspects of the Nonprofit Sector 7 The Influence of Nonprofit Organizations on the Political Environment Introduction Critical Differences in Nonprofits’ Political Activities Lobbying Groups and Interest Groups: 501(c)4, 501(c)5 and 501(c)6 Organizations Shaping the Political Environment: Nonprofits and Political Representation What is Lobbying and Advocacy? Why Do We Need Lobbying and Advocacy Groups? Does Lobbying and Advocacy Disproportionately Benefit the Existing Power Elite? Shaping the Political Environment: Nonprofits and Political Mobilization Nonprofits Mobilizing Public Voice Nonprofits Mobilizing Voters Nonprofits Mobilizing Public Action Shaping the Political Environment: Nonprofits and Political Education Summary Key Terms Discussion Questions Websites Notes 8 Nonprofit and Voluntary Activism: Social Movements and Protest Politics Introduction Social Change Movements—Nonprofits and Voluntary Activism Nonprofits in Social Movements Nonprofits in American Social Movements: The Labor Movement and the Civil Rights Movement A Political Process Model—McAdam’s Analysis of the Black Insurgency Social Change Organizations—Grassroots and Local Change Nonprofits and Contemporary Social Change Economic Justice and the Occupy Movement—Insurgency or Disorganized Mess? The Role of Technology in Modern Social Movements Contemporary International Social Change Movements Summary Key Terms Discussion Questions Additional Reading Additional Media Notes 9 Economic Contributions of Nonprofit Organizations Introduction The Nonprofit Sector as a Major Employer The Nonprofit Role in Local Economic Development Job Training and Community Development Business Attraction, Development, and Promotion Summary Key Terms Discussion Questions Websites Videos Notes Section IV Nonprofit Sector Challenges & Opportunities 10 The Future of Nonprofits and Civil Society Introduction Demographic Shifts Diversity and Immigration Aging of the Population Poverty, Inequality, and Suburbanization of Poverty Fiscal Stress and Uncertainty in Government Spending Increased Demands for Transparency and Accountability Market Competition and Pressures for Performance The Blending and Blurring of Sector Boundaries The Continued Rise of Technology and Social Media Summary Key Terms Discussion Questions Activity Websites Videos for Discussion Additional Reading Notes Glossary/Index "Nonprofit Organizations and Civil Society in the United States provides a basic introduction to the U.S. nonprofit and civil society sector and examines the social, political, and economic impact of these organizations in America. The book is divided into four parts. First, it examines the legal foundations, history and evolution of the U.S. nonprofit sector, along with theories that explain the existence of a nonprofit sector. Next, it explores the impact that nonprofits have on American social life through the creation of social capital, providing opportunities to associate, creating outlets for the expression of group interests, and promoting a civil society. The book then takes up an exploration of the roles that nonprofits play in the American political landscape. Finally, the authors examine nonprofits' economic impacts both in terms of their share of the U.S. labor force, as well as nonprofit production of goods and services that are sold in the American marketplace. "-- Provided by publisher