INDIANAPOLIS—The Center on Philanthropy at Indiana University is seeking requests for proposals on research in the field of human services philanthropy and nonprofit organizations.
Pre-tenure scholars are invited to apply for $25,000 grants to fund research and for the opportunity to join a community of scholars seeking to improve the practice of human services organizations. The deadline for proposals is June 27, 2011.
The opportunities are part of the Center on Philanthropy’s Advancing Knowledge in Human Services Philanthropy and Nonprofit Organizations (Advancing Knowledge) initiative, supported with funding from The Kresge Foundation.
“Human services organizations provide essential services to low-income and vulnerable people,” said Patrick M. Rooney, executive director of the Center. “Demand for their services often exceeds their financial and staff resources, and many face numerous challenges to their ability to help our most at-risk neighbors meet basic needs. This initiative will provide much needed research and best practices to equip them to fulfill their vital missions.”
Proposals for research projects must focus on human services nonprofit organizations assisting low-income populations and must have the potential to affect the practices and philanthropic support of human services nonprofits.
Advancing Knowledge responds to the need to a build research community of human services scholars whose work can improve the effectiveness of human services organizations and philanthropy. Through this initiative, Advancing Knowledge will create a group of pre-tenure scholars working in collaboration with tenured mentors and an advisory council.
Pre-tenure scholars at accredited universities and nonprofit research institutions in the U.S. who received doctoral degrees within the past seven years will be eligible for research funding.
Advancing Knowledge is particularly interested in better understanding four thematic areas of research within the field of human services organizations:
- Organizational Effectiveness
- Social Change and Impact
- Government and Public Policy
- The Role of Philanthropy
Ten proposals for funding of up to $25,000 per project will be awarded. Funding will be disbursed over two years (two disbursements of $12,500 each). Recipient scholars will work with mentors and an advisory council to produce and disseminate findings that improve the practice of human services philanthropy. Research using existing data sources is encouraged.
Recipients will be invited to special Advancing Knowledge workshops held at the Association for Research on Nonprofit Organizations and Voluntary Action annual conferences in 2011 and 2012. Scholars, mentors and the advisory council will also collaborate to generate a “State of the Research” report on human services philanthropy.
For detailed information about application procedures, project thematic areas, eligibility, deadlines, available resources, contact information, and timelines, please refer to the project website: https://philanthropy.indianapolis.iu.edu/advancingknowledge or contact AKinfo@iu.edu.
The Center on Philanthropy at Indiana University
550 West North Street, Suite 301
Indianapolis, IN 46202
Phone: (317) 279-8909
Email: AKinfo@iu.edu
About the Kresge Foundation
The Kresge Foundation is a $3.1 billion private, national foundation that seeks to influence the quality of life for future generations by creating access and opportunity in underserved communities, improving the health of low-income people, supporting artistic expression, increasing college achievement, assisting in the revitalization of Detroit, and advancing methods for dealing with global climate change. The foundation works in six program areas: arts and culture, community development, education, the environment, health, and human services. In 2010, the Board of Trustees approved 481 awards totaling $158 million; $134 million was paid out to grantees over the course of the year. For more information, visit www.kresge.org.
About the Center on Philanthropy
The Center on Philanthropy at Indiana University, a part of the IU School of Liberal Arts at IU Indianapolis, is a leading academic center dedicated to increasing the understanding of philanthropy and improving its practice worldwide through research, teaching, training and public affairs programs in philanthropy, fundraising, and management of nonprofit organizations. For more information, visit www.philanthropy.indianapolis.iu.edu.