Examining the Normative Operations of Nonprofit Academic Centers

Among college and university centers promoting nonprofit education for social impact, philanthropic activity, and voluntary action, what policies and practices serve as indicators of legitimacy and success? What field-wide norms can new nonprofit educational centers adopt to gain legitimacy? This multimethod study compared the operations of a sample of organizations in the Nonprofit Academic Centers Council to understand common norms and practices. Through field visits, interviews, and content analyses of organizational websites, the study identified norms that typify the work of nonprofit academic centers. Insights from this study can inform centers’ efforts to legitimize their work as well as regulatory bodies’ efforts to accredit and adopt best practices.