Introduction
Non-profit hybrid organization is such an interesting topic since it is a fresh academic matter. The concept of such organization goes beyond the boundaries of profits and voluntarism has been recorded in the literature just recently. Non-profit organizations, which are also called “not-for-profit organizations,” are entities founded to benefit a specific issue or endeavor (p. 1). There are more than 1.4 million non-profit organizations that operate around the world and thousands of new non-profit organizations are established daily (p. 1). Unlike business enterprises, non-profit organizations do not function to generate income. They also do not share the earnings to the organization's members, directors, or officers. Conventionally, non-profit organizations have constantly been confronting the problems of raising money through donations and gifts from various individual and group members (Flavin, p. 1). The nature of the hardships in raising funds led many non-profits to include a for-profit venture to support the charitable nature of their organization. Usually, this takes the form of a LLC owned and managed, partially, at least, by the non-profit corporation (p. 1). Income from the for-profit LLC is shifted to the non-profit. This may be acceptable under the IRS guidelines for a 501(c) (3) federal income tax exempt organization if all of the LLC members are tax exempt organizations (p. 1).
There is a call to formally delineate the meaning of a for-profit and a non-profit organization. In other words, there is a need to clarify the concept of non-profit hybrid organization. Researchers and academicians urge the calling for a new business model to describe this emerging organizational form (Minkoff, p. 379). There are several studies on hybrid organizations that stress the viability of this new form. However, they do not provide insightful analysis of the organizations (Ayala, p. 101). There are also other significant studies which reflect the nature of hybrid organizations but the general picture of a hybrid organization must be detailed.
A main division of hybrid organizations is the non-profit hybrid organizations. Such organizations are continuously growing in our global times. They have become the new non-profit organization leading towards business and public funding support as well as civic engagement participation. Sampson, et. al. (p. 681) defined a non-profit hybrid organization as “hybrid collective events typically combine protest like ‘claims’ for change with civil society “forms.” Such events are considered through the form of “blended social actions” (p. 682). For example, a usual case is how a non-profit church organization gets public financial support and manages its furthering civic engagement. Edwards & Jacqueline (p. 50) mention how non-profit hybrid organizations have become the new business model for the future entrepreneur companies. This is because this new form of an organization shows a balance between non-profits, civic engagement service, and public funding support (Boyd, p. 16).
This paper explores the special qualities and characteristics and the vital elements that make non-profit hybrid organizations special, specifically in how they impact the social, political, cultural aspects of an organization. It also highlights the non-profit hybrid organization’s attributes which make them effective in solving some of the most challenging matters in the world today. It also delves into how hybrid non-profit organizations incorporate features from volunteer-run associations, social movements and non-profit service organizations (Edwards & Jacqueline, p. 50).
This paper details the emergence of non-profit hybrid organizations working in relation with civic engagement participation of the community with the support of publicly funded organizations into a form of blended social action. Also, this study touches on how this form of blended social action has become a major role in the incorporation of civic engagement in the hybrid non-profit sector. It also explores the conditions that lead to the development of multi-purpose non-profit hybrid organizations and the attributes which impact their ability to mobilize resources and enlist commitment for effective civic engagement or social work.
The main goal of this paper is to learn about the special features and characteristics of a non-profit hybrid organizations which make them more effective in civic engagement and social work alongside their effective contributions in the social, political, cultural and environmental development of other profit and non-profit organizations. The focus is on the select attributes of such non-profit hybrid organizations which make them effective in civic and social work.
It takes into account specific cases where non-profit hybrid organizations have fully contributed to the civic and social goals that encompass the contributions of profit and other non-profit organizations. It also describes the special factors which make them overcome the challenges of the traditional organizations and what makes them more effective. These are the main themes of this research study.
It is expected that this study shall bridge several forays of what a real non –profit hybrid organizations achieve and what makes them different from the conventional organizations and groups. Initially, this research will shed light to the various interpretations of the non-profit hybrid organization in both aspects of research and practice. This study will also highlight the elements and settings wherein the non-profit hybrid organizations stand out in delivering their mission or objectives.
In both developed and developing economies, there is a growing body of experience, which attests to the remarkably good roles that non-profit organizations play in overall development. Examples of the non-profit hybrid organizations that make special and positive contributions to society include the following:
Teach for America – this non-profit organization was launched by then 21-year-old, Wendy Kopp (Gowdy, et. al. p. 8). This organization has brought more than 24,000 new teachers into poor communities all over the United States. The organization has influenced about three million students (p. 8). Aside from providing a robust system of training, mentoring and giving ongoing support for program members and alumni, this organization extends its commitment to professional growth through its program called Staff Leadership Development System (p. 8). Their internal talent management system nurtures the needs and values of younger generation workers and helps make new leaders through stretch assignments or teaching opportunities created to develop their skills and expand themselves according to their performance against concrete standards.
Generations United (GU) – this organization was formed in 1986. It is a national membership organization mainly intended to promote inter-generational strategies, programs and public policies. Aside from providing internship and volunteer opportunities for students, retirees and adults who are shifting into other careers, this organization gives resources to help its member organizations and others convert from a multi-generational to an inter-generational workforce (p. 9). Five years ago, GU partnered with MetLife Mature Market Institute to create “Generations in the Workplace: Engaging the Best Talent of All Ages,” a workbook and assessment tool to aid organizations identify how they can leverage the talents of each generation to be competitive and successful in fulfilling organizational goals (p. 9).
The Environmental Support Center – this non-profit organization has almost 20 years of development support to local, state and regional organizations that tackle environmental concerns (p. 10). This organization has become a leader for diversity efforts in the sector. The Environmental Support Center acknowledges and promotes the contributions of those efforts in the context of the environmental justice movement. Six years ago, this organization completed a four-year effort intended at dismantling racism that engaged people at all levels of the organization in an intensive process of assessment, exploration and shared learning. By this facilitated process, the board and staff challenged their assumptions about themselves and their organization. It finally resulted in a collective commitment to develop a new organizational culture. The said center also shares its experience in a short report available on its website. It showed its learnings at the 2009 Alliance for Nonprofit Management Annual Conference (p. 10).
Epic Change – this organization was established in 2007 and it intended to raise funds to make interest-free loans for community improvement projects in the third world. It also aimed to help those partners to share their stories to make extra money to sustain the organization’s efforts. Social media aided in delivering the storytelling component of the Epic Change model to various people in order to raise both real and social capital to strengthen its work. This non-profit has just started and only employs its third staff person. It is able to deliver its mission with the wide use of social media. Social media allows Epic Change to develop its reputation in a very transparent and open way. In 2008, it launched “Tweetsgiving” campaign to show how this friend and fundraising approach leverages all types of benefits. Twitter users were asked to tweet about something they were thankful for in their lives and given the option to make a donation to help Epic Change build a classroom in Tanzania (p. 10). As an outcome, Epic Change made over 3,500 tweets, met its $10,000 goal and linked with numerous like-minded volunteers.
The above mentioned non-profit hybrid organizations are distinct in the sense that they play special roles and they generate revenues to support the said roles. These roles specifically include: 1.) providing goods and services – particularly meeting needs which have not been met by either the government or by the private sector (Examples are Teach for America and Generations United); 2.) aiding the government to attain its development goals – especially by contributing skills for which non-profit organizations have comparative advantage, like public information, education and communications programs, or providing information about the situations and needs of specific vulnerable groups (Examples are Teach for America, The Environmental Support Center, and Epic Change; 3.) aiding people to voice out their aspirations, concerns and options to be taken into account by policy makers, thus providing substance to governments' policies with regards to both the freedom of association and freedom of speech; 4.) supporting to enhance the accountability and transparency of government and local government programs and officers.
Conclusion
We live in an age of non-profits. The non-profit sector encompasses a wide range of organizations, including entities involved in the arts, health care, human services, learning, environment, social justice, religion, and philanthropy. The term is generically used that it covers virtually all organizations that are neither commercial nor governmental. At best, non-profit organization is an inexact term. As mentioned, it is perfectly alright for a non-profit to generate a profit. It is impermissible to share any portion of its profits to its shareholders.
The inter linkages of each part of society dynamically compels change. For instance, various markets (i.e. baby boomers, next-generation leaders, etc.) are becoming integrated. These players utilize new tools and technologies i.e. social media. With conventional goals and interest, coupled with the advances in technology, civic engagement and work and personal organizations and groups also change. Individuals are now more involved and the environment is more attuned to other people’s values, such as work-life balance, the goal of participating in civic works and politics, and the demand and expectations for concrete results, openness and transparency. The interplay between these human and non-human forces creates new norms and structures. These special opportunities to confront and resolve the social problems blur the old boundaries between profit and non-profit organizations (Gowdy, et. al., p. 11).
This integrated collaboration has led to the acknowledgment of the special roles which non-profit organizations play. Indeed, they contribute to development beyond their capacity to deliver services. Some non-profit organizations have vital specialist knowledge, i.e. on environmental issues. Others collaborate with poor communities and are able both to aid promote participatory development approaches and to determine priority concerns of the poor citizens. Other non-profits also aid in empowering civil society via public information and education. For instance, they promote the people’s legal rights or entitlements to services.
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