Non-profit effectiveness: A multiple case study on effective non-profit leadership approaches

ABSTRACT

There is limited research on effective leadership approaches in 501(c)(3) non-profit organizations. Non-profit organizations help to build community sustainability. The problem to be addressed by the study is the difficulty of identifying the appropriate leadership approach to use in 501(c)(3) non-profit organizations that enhance community sustainability. This qualitative multiple case study aimed to explore the leadership approaches 501(c)(3) non-profit organization decision makers in North Carolina use and why they perceive these approaches to be effective in enhancing the community sustainability of the communities they serve. The aspect of community sustainability focused on was social well-being. Participants were decision makers in a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization in North Carolina;were two executive directors, a president, and a program director, from different 501(c)(3) non-profit organizations;and had experience planning programs and events for the community. The sample size for this study was four. Semi-structured interviews, participant observations, and a leadership checklist were used to collect data. The data were analyzed using thematic analysis. Five themes answered the research question (a) focused approach, (b) additional approaches, (c) decision making, (d) employee growth, and (e) impact. The findings from this study may help 501(c)(3) non-profit organization leaders understand which leadership approaches may effectively enhance the social well-being of the communities they serve. A limitation of this study is the small sample size due to COVID-19. Another limitation is not being able to talk to all 501(c)(3) non-profit organization decision makers. Future researchers can improve this study by conducting sustained interviews and multiple participant observations in person with each participant. Future researchers should also interview other employees, volunteers, and constituents in the organization. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved)