Understanding the role of nonprofit organizations in society. (PUL 1; PUL 5)

a) Identifying the size, scope, types, roles, and limitations of nonprofit organizations.

b) Explaining the roles and relationships between sectors in society (e.g., government, nonprofit, for profit, household) in securing resources to address social issues.

c) Gathering and analyzing data related to philanthropy (e.g., civil society, community need, giving trends, nonprofit organizations, public policy, social issues, voluntary action).

d) Examining theories that explain why nonprofit organizations exist in civil society.

e) Explaining the role of social relationships and social movements in philanthropy.

f) Evaluating differences in approaches used by nonprofit organizations on the local, national, and global level.

Nonprofit organizations function in many different ways dependent on their location, demographic, size, purpose, etc. I have had the pleasure of learning about many different types of organizations as well as have experience with different types including a foundation, educational organization, religious, health, urban outreach, and more. I wrote an Organizational Profile of Growing Places Indy which allowed me to identify how the organization works within many different realms and has different relationships allowing it to best serve the community. It works in partnership with Indy Parks in order to provide edible beauty to White River State Park, with Chase Legacy Center to provide an affordable U-Pick garden and farm stand as well as family and youth nutrition camps, Indy Winter Farmer's market to support fellow farmers and small businesses, and even more. I was able to grow understanding of just how important the role of social relationships and movements are in philanthropy through that profile as well as through my paper on the Slow Food movement. The Slow Food Movement information opened my eyes up to understanding why and how nonprofit organizations come to exist and the importance of them in society.