Date of Conferral

2021

Degree

Doctor of Public Administration (D.P.A)

School

Public Policy and Administration

Advisor

Gary Kelsey

Abstract

This case study addressed the viability of a venture philanthropy approach to augment revenue at a youth-serving nonprofit organization in the U.S. state of Connecticut. Venture philanthropy as different from an outright financial donation in that the purpose of this donation is to allow the organization to start a mission-related business. The purpose of the study was to explore the perspectives of individual donors capable of making a venture-level investment to inform organizational leaders about this revenue generation strategy. The practice-focused questions concerned what a donor may want to know prior to making a venture-level investment, to what degree donors have an interest in a venture philanthropy model, and the viability of a venture philanthropy approach to generate revenue in support of the organization’s mission. Ten individuals who were current or prospective high-net-worth donors to the organization shared their ideas on venture philanthropy and what they believe is necessary for donors to know when considering this type of approach. Using the conceptual framework of donor engagement, data were collected from the interview participants and then coded to detect themes in responses. Three themes emerged regarding donors’ needs to make the concept viable: organizational governance, involvement of members, and impact reporting. This study provides information that may assist leaders of nonprofit organizations interested in exploring the feasibility of a venture philanthropy approach. The findings of this study may bring about positive social change by identifying alternative revenue sources that nonprofit organizational leaders can consider to support their missions and achieve sustainability.

Download

Share

 
COinS