Research and Publications

The Caster Family Center for Nonprofit and Philanthropic Research has produced the following materials:

	Applied Projects Organizational Impact Report For the Nonprofit Leadership and Management Graduate Program
	2011 national Nonprofit Employment Trends Survey™ The 2011 national Nonprofit Employment Trends Survey™ is intended to provide a snapshot of current employment practices and discuss the economic trends and implications of employment practices in the sector. This report, which has been produced annually by Nonprofit HR Solutions since 2007, includes responses from more than 450 nonprofits nationwide. The Nonprofit HR Symposia will bring together nonprofit human resources practitioners, executives, thought leaders and researchers from across the nation to discuss employment trends of the nonprofit sector. Attendees include a diverse group of professionals representing the full spectrum of the nonprofit sector. Symposium content is based on the latest Nonprofit Employment Trends Survey data.
	A Spotlight on San Diego's Third Sector - 2010 What is the economic impact of San Diego's nonprofit sector and what role does it play in the region's larger economy? How is San Diego's nonprofit sector unique? How confident are people in San Diego's nonprofit organizations? Read our latest report on the state of San Diego's nonprofit sector.
	Operating in Uncertain Times: How Economic Conditions Have Affected San Diego County's Nonprofit and Philanthropic Sectors How have San Diego County's nonprofit and philanthropic organizations been managing during the economic downturn? This report: Operating in Uncertain Times, highlights the strategies and approaches taken by some of the County's largest nonprofit and philanthropic providers. Completed: January 2010 Event Presentation >>
	Applied Projects Organizational Impact Report The Caster Family Center for Nonprofit and Philanthropic Research, along with the SOLES Director of Assessment Support conducted an evaluation of the applied projects portion of the Nonprofit Leadership and Management Masters Program. This study determined whether student-led projects had an impact on the nonprofit organizations for which they were developed and assessed the type and duration of that impact.
	Looking for the Upside in the Downturn: Time-Tested Models of Nonprofit Innovation We searched the country (including our own backyard) to select a handful of time-tested strategies that nonprofits have been using to improve their operations. We hope your organization will find the information useful as well. Completed: June 2009 Event Presentations >>
	The Grantmaking Report: Foundation and Corporate Giving in the San Diego Region This report is a collaboration between San Diego Grantmakers and the Caster Family Center for Nonprofit and Philanthropic Research. The overriding questions that this research leads us to ask are how can our community leverage our growing philanthropic resources, inspire more giving (both locally and nationally), and be strategic in matching community needs with community support? Completed: September 2008
	The Appreciated Sector: Public Confidence in San Diego County Nonprofit Organizations Do San Diegans have confidence in the nonprofit sector? How are you affected as a nonprofit leader? Read the results on the most comprehensive survey ever conducted on this topic! Completed: June 2008
	Alumni Perspectives: Evaluation of the Nonprofit Leadership and Management Masters Program In spring 2008 the Caster Family Center for Nonprofit and Philanthropic Research, along with the SOLES Director of Assessment, completed an alumni survey. The survey focused on how well the Nonprofit Leadership and Management program learning outcomes prepared the alumni for their professional roles, how those roles may have changed as a result of their preparation, their level of satisfaction with the various components of the program, and their perspectives on their current involvement with the program. Completed: June 2008
	A Spotlight on San Diego's Third Sector In conjunction with the University of San Francisco's Institute for Nonprofit Organization Management, the Center produced a report focused on the contributions of the San Diego nonprofit sector to the local economy. This report's intent is to create an understanding of the nonprofit sector, measure its capacity & economic contributions, and chart its future. This project was presented November 13, 2006. Completed: November 2006
	Beyond Regulation: Tools for Promoting Ethical Action in Nonprofit Organizations For a full year more than 168 nonprofit practitioners participated in a dialogue series about nonprofit ethics that culminated in a large-scale forum on October 27, 2006. The result of this thoughtful deliberation was a discussion guide that can be used by nonprofits during board and/or senior staff meetings (a) to explore existing ethical practices within a nonprofit organization (b) reach a common understanding about the ethical culture that participants wish to see in action and (c) uncover any discrepancies that currently might exist between what is currently happening and what people engaged in the conversation believe ought to be happening. Completed: October 2006 Introduction >>
	Report on Nonprofit Executive Transition Recent national studies of executives in the nonprofit field have indicated that the sector will soon be facing a massive transition in leadership. In this study, the Center sought to define and understand the challenges posed by executive transition, and how it pertains specifically to San Diego nonprofit sector. Particular focus was placed on the number of San Diego nonprofit executives who plan to retire or leave their positions in the next 5 years. Completed: February 2006 Executive Summary >>
	Initial Market Survey To ensure the Center provides products that meet the demands of its constituents, a market survey has been mailed to 1,500 San Diego nonprofits. The results of this survey will help to define the scope of services offered through the Center, and will be used to guide decisions on future topics of study. The survey focuses on services in the following areas: program evaluation, organizational development, data, and library resources. Completed: March 2005