PA 501 Nonprofit Organizations and Government
Spring Online 2016
Instructor Contact Information:
Professor: Kelley Crockett PhD.
Phone: 619.730.9658
Email: Skype kelley.crockett or E-Mail: kcrockett@mail.sdsu.edu
Office hours: Online via email or on Skype by appointment
Course description:
Description from Catalog: “How nonprofit organizations interact with government institutions,
influence and pressure government through policy advocacy and activism, and partner with
government in contracting, public service provision, and policymaking”.
Nonprofit organizations come in all kinds of forms. They represent a wide spectrum of missions, sizes,
organizational forms, and fit in different categories of tax-exemption. This online course provides an
introduction to the nature and history of the nonprofit sector. It examines management functions,
special issues, and skills that could be considered practices particular to nonprofit organizations
(NPO’s). Some of these include board-staff relations, accountability to internal and external demands
and challenges, working with professional and volunteer staff, social entrepreneurship, marketing and
fundraising activities.
Course Learning Outcomes:
Upon successfully completing this course students will have:
1. Increased their knowledge of the nature and scope of the nonprofit sector in the U.S.
2. Surveyed literature that details what the challenges are that face nonprofit organizations and
analyzed some of the possible solutions.
3. Developed a familiarity with management practices and fiscal responsibilities associated with
nonprofit organizations.
4. Utilized critical thinking skills through readings, discussions and assignments.
Course Materials:
There is one required text
Worth, Michael J, Nonprofit Management Principles and Practice Third Edition, SAGE 2013
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Required articles are made available for you on Blackboard
1.
“Information, Community, and Action: How Nonprofit Organizations Use Social Media” by
Kristen Lovejoy and Gregory Saxton, (2012)
2.
“To Be a Business and Keep our Humanity" by Sally Shaw and Justine Allen" (2009)
3.
“Public Reporting: A Neglected Aspect of Nonprofit Accountability” by Mordecai Lee (2004)
4.
“Collaboration and Professionalization: The Contours of Public Sector Funding for Nonprofit
Organizations by David Suarez, (2010)
5.
“Differences in Perceived Barriers to Volunteering to Formal Organizations" by Richard
Sundeen, Sally Raskoff and M. Christina Garcia (2007)
Case studies are made available on Blackboard from the “ Case Studies in Nonprofit Management “ by
Libby, P., and Detrick, L. through Sage upcoming in 2016 (used by publisher permission)
Distance Learning Prerequisites
Please take the ‘readiness survey’ at
https://sunspot.sdsu.edu/pls/webapp/survey.hybrid_learning.main and, if this is the right
course for you, please prepare your computer for the course.
Please download necessary software, including: Adobe’s Acrobat Reader and Flash Player, QuickTime
Player, and Microsoft Word Viewer (if you do not already have Word installed). If this sounds
intimidating, please do not panic! Information about all of these tools and links enabling you to install
them are kept under the ‘Technical Support’ button on our Blackboard Website..
Please learn how to use Blackboard. You must be able to move around in the modules and to use the
Discussion Board and other course tools. You must be able to receive e-mail from Blackboard. For an
orientation to Blackboard or for Blackboard help, go to: http://its.sdsu.edu/blackboard/student/.
Course Requirements
Student preparation and participation is mandatory. In order to deeply cover topics the modules are
organized in two-week intervals. This gives you some flexibility in getting the reading and the
discussion participation completed on time while also having time to study for the exams. The format
of the course covers eight specific modules each containing learning objectives, reading assignments, a
PowerPoint presentation, a video lecture, a list of vocabulary terms, and exams at regular intervals
spanning two or more modules. IF YOU CANNOT MAKE ANY ONE OF THE 3 EXAM DATES DURING THE TIME
WINDOW STATED IN THE SCHEDULE THEN DROP THIS CLASS NOW.
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The PowerPoint presentations and video lectures are NOT designed to cover all the material in the
textbook but students have mentioned that they do help to focus their thinking, or to clarify certain
points. You may look them over as many times as you wish. You will be responsible to read all the
assigned material.
Three T/F and Multiple Choice exams, an online blog on a nonprofit organization of your choice within
a theme, substantial individual participation in three out of the five article discussions, minor
participation in the remaining two article discussions, and a seven to nine page research paper
complete the expectations for the course.
Assessment and Grading:
Exams:
60% of Final Grade
The three exams are spread out through the semester and only cover the modules they designate.
Once we cover that section, we move on. Exams are on Sundays and access is between 7 pm and 9 pm.
There are 20 multiple choice and true/false questions and one bonus replacement question per exam.
(If you get the bonus question correct you can substitute it for any missed question on that exam but
you may not add the points to a 100% correct exam) Although the exams are open book and open
note, they are timed to a 90 minute window to answer 20 plus 1 bonus questions. Any cyber sharing of
questions or collaboration on the exams are subject to the normal SDSU penalties of test cheating. You
may take the exam only once. There are no make up exams.
Discussion Responses: The Articles
15% of Final Grade
Blackboard offers us a way to post our comments online for everyone to see at once. You will be
participating in ALL 5 discussions. Pick three of the five articles and make a meaningful original
comment on the discussion board of no more than two paragraphs that adds insight about the issues
presented in the article. Better commentary in past courses has connected concepts to the textbook,
has included either short quoted material or has added appropriate links that add depth to the
conversation. For both of the other two articles, please respond to someone else’s post (a paragraph
or less should do it, adding to the conversation in a meaningful way like you would in a regular
classroom setting). Please remember this is an academic exercise and not just an opportunity to
merely agree or disagree. The idea is that you are discussing the article or case study with your
classmates while showing the instructor you have indeed read and understood the key points. You may
always participate more than just the minimum requirement. Late posts are not credited.
The Blog
10% of Final Grade
Our theme this fall is “Homelessness in California”, exploring domestic nonprofit organizations that
deal with homelessness in California’s urban, rural or border areas. Students will research a nonprofit
organization online that fits the theme criteria and present it in a blog. Please use the blog platform in
Blackboard and do NOT upload a link to another document.
You will need to pick a nonprofit organization (NPO) and sign up for it in Blackboard under discussions.
Think of yourselves as an investigative reporter giving us a picture of what the organization is all about.
A blog allows you to post comments over time like journal entries or to post a completed presentation
all at once. The idea is to add commentary, visual aids and analysis that integrate the information you
are learning about in the course (for example how your org conducts its fundraising (Module 5) or how
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they report accountability (Module 3) etc.). Everyone in the class will be able to read your blog so
clarity and composition are especially important as conveyers of information.
Start at www.urban.org/center/cnp/index.cfm or www.cof.org or https://bettergivingsd.guidestar.org
or https://CharityNavigator.org or just Google philanthropic organizations in California + Homeless to
find a nonprofit you would like to review. Post the name of your NPO that you will be blogging about
by February 7, 2016. As you look over your nonprofit organization ask yourself the following questions
and create some of your own to help in getting a profile together:
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What kind of a nonprofit is this? Private foundation? Public Charity?
Have you personally contacted the group?
What is its tax status? (Can you deduct any donations?)
What is its purpose, its mission? Do you think this is an important service?
Is there a founder? What do you think of him/her or them?
What is the staffing situation?
Is it affiliated with any other institution?
How long has it been around? Has it been growing? Declining?
What is the organizational culture? How can you tell?
What do other people say about your nonprofit?
What sorts of programs does it support?
How does it interact with the city services?
What information is available to potential donors that give validity to the organization?
What do you think are the potential problems for future budget challenges? discuss
What kind of fundraising does it do?
Is it in any kind of partnership with another nonprofit or a for profit organization?
What kind of marketing does it do?
Does it fill a unique niche need or does it have much competition from other NPO’s?
What kind of politicking has it done to achieve what ends?
Is it registered (what does it say) on BetterGiving? https://bettergivingsd.guidestar.org or
https://CharityNavigator.org?
Blogs that demonstrate careful analysis that incorporate concepts and vocabulary gleaned in the
course materials as well as comprehensive and concise information will garner higher grades. Late (1
minute to 24 hours) Blog projects are subject to a 20-point grade deduction.
The Research Paper
15% of Final Grade
Students are responsible for a seven to nine page paper (including cover page and reference page) that
discusses a topic (not on a single organization or limited to the semester theme of homelessness like
the blog project) pertinent to nonprofit organizations like the effect of media attention on membership
drives. Late (1 minute to 24 hours) papers are subject to a 20-point grade deduction.
Students must reference a peer reviewed journal article at least once in their paper. Government
reports, newspaper articles and other source documents may be used as additional resources but may
not be used instead of the journal article. You must upload your journal article as a pdf file or provide a
link to it (not just a link to the library) and your paper title (do not copy the title of the journal article as
your paper title as this is NOT a book report or article summary) must be uploaded to the discussion
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thread in Blackboard under “Research Paper Topics” for approval by the instructor no later than
February 22, 2016. Late or a non-peer reviewed journal article submitted after February 22 will result
in a letter grade deduction on the final paper. Use APA style and cite references at the end of the
sentence like (Shaw and Allen, 2009 p 27). Students are also responsible for uploading their research
paper into the turn-it-in.com anti-plagiarism program within Blackboard. Please limit the amount of
quoted material to less than 30%, be sure and cite direct quotes and paraphrased quotes, and
remember submission of a paper previously turned into another course is considered plagiarism as
well. There is a tab designated “Submit final papers here” in the left side pane.
An examination of a topic relevant to nonprofit organizations must include: a discussion of the
literature regarding the topic, any federal or state laws that affect the issue, demonstration why this is
either an ongoing problem or a new emerging issue along with projections of what future challenges
may come out of the problem if not addressed. Further conversation may include how federal or state
policies affect your topic, problem or issue and who is or should be responsible for correcting the
problem.
Higher points will be given to those papers that reflect:
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An analysis of the problem, issue or topic with examples that support and justify your points.
Discussion that integrates researched journal articles and the textbook.
Inclusion of information listed in the assignment.
Adherence to the format of no more than seven to nine pages long, double spaced using 12
point font with 1 inch margins all around.
Use of academic language, grammar, vocabulary and third person narrative (NO use of “I”), this
is a research paper NOT a personal narrative.
Grading Scale:
94-100=A
73-76=C
90-93=A70-72=C-
87-89=B+
67-69=D+
83-86=B
63-66=D
80-82=B60-62=D-
77-79=C+
Below 60=F
Plagiarism and cheating:
You must cite (use APA style) the author and the source of any quotes or any paraphrase of someone
else’s work in your paper. Those who do not cite quoted work may receive a fail on the paper and a
warning or referral for possible suspension, probation or expulsion. There should not be any ambiguity
as to what constitutes plagiarism or cheating. . but if you have questions please refer to SDSU’s site
http://www.sa.sdsu.edu/htc/plagiarism.pdf.
Student Services:
If you have a disability and need accommodations for this class, it is your responsibility to contact
Student Disability Services as soon as possible. Please note that accommodations are not retroactive,
and that accommodations based upon disability cannot be provided until you have presented your
instructor with an accommodation letter from Student Disability Services.
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Course Outline and Reading Schedule
Modules
Activities and Assignments
Due
Due Dates
Exams are open 7 pm to 9pm, all
other work in by 11pm when due
1 NPO Introduction
January 19 to
February 1
2 NPO Economics and
Governance
February 2 to
February 15
3 NPO Accountability
and Financial
Management
February 16 to
February 29
4 NPO Planning &
Capacity
March 1 to March 14
5 Earned Income &
Philanthropic
Fundraising
March 15 to March 27
Read:
 Syllabus
 Worth Chapters 1 & 2
 Lovejoy and Saxton article
 Case Study Social Media
View:
 Video Lecture: Intro to Nonprofits
 Week 1 Part A
 Week 2 Part B
Read:
 Worth Chapters 3 & 4
 Shaw & Allen article
 Case Study A Change in Policy
View:
 Lecture: Economics and Governing
NPO’s
 Week 3 Part A
 Week 4 Part B
Read:
 Worth Chapters 6 & 14
 Lee article
 Case Study Misallocation of Grant
Money
 Your peer reviewed research article
View:
 Video Lecture: Accountability &
Financial Management Week 5
 Video Lecture: Performance
Measurement Week 6
Read:
 Worth Chapters 7 & 8
 Case Study Endowments
View:
 Video Lecture: Strategic Planning
and Capacity in NPO’s
 Part A Week 7
 Part B Week 8
Read:
 Worth Chapters 11 & 12
 Suarez article
 Case Study Generating Revenue
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Self Introduction
Discussion comments on
Lovejoy and Saxton article
Jan 28
Jan 30
Student responses on
Lovejoy and Saxton
discussion
Jan 31
Discussion comments on
Shaw & Allen article
Feb 13
Name of NPO for Blog
Feb 7
Student responses on
Shaw and Allen discussion
Feb 14
Discussion comments on
Lee article
Feb 20
Decide your research
paper topic and post your
peer reviewed article
Feb 22
Student responses on Lee
discussion
Feb 21
Exam 1 over Modules 1-3
Feb 28
Blog Due
Mar 6
Discussion comments on
Suarez article
Student responses on
Mar 19
Mar 20
View:
 Video Lecture: Fundraising Week 9
 Video Lecture: Earned Income
Week 10
Spring Break is
March 28 to April 3
6 NPO Manage Staff,
Volunteers &
Leadership
April 5 to April 11
Read:
 Worth Chapters 9 and 5
 Sundeen& Raskoff& Garcia article
 Case Study Hiring Staff
View:
 Video Lecture: Manage Staff and
Volunteers, Leadership
 Part A Week 11
 Part B Week 12
7 NPO Marketing, &
Advocacy
April 12 to April 18
Read:
 Worth Chapters 10 & 15
 Case Study Devising Marketing
View:
 Video Lecture: Marketing and NPO’s
Week 13
 Video Lecture: Advocacy Week 14
8 Government
Support & Social
Entrepreneurship
April 19 to May 3
Read:
 Worth Chapters 13 & 17 and
Conclusion pp 411-413
 Read Case Study in Worth book 17.1
p 407
 Video Lecture: Case Study 17.1 Week
15
7
Suarez discussion
Discussion comments on
S&R&G article
April 9
Student responses on
SR&G discussion
April 10
Exam 2 over Modules 4-6
April 10
Research Paper Due
April 24
Exam 3 over Modules 7-8
May 1