Date of Award
12-2024
Document Type
Capstone
Degree Name
Master of Nonprofit Studies
First Advisor
Dr. Andrew Schoeneman
Second Advisor
Dr. Rachel Reynolds
Abstract
All forms of capital enhance the ability to accomplish tasks efficiently. Like physical, human, and financial capital, social capital enables individuals or organizations to accomplish more than is otherwise possible. When groups undertake actions to cooperate and achieve a shared purpose, it is a sign of social capital at work. This study looks specifically at human service nonprofit organizations to examine strategies and practices that can lead to the building of social capital. As a comparative case study of two nonprofit organizations, I explore how nonprofit organizations learn to build social capital across lines of difference; look at how bridging and linking social capital are used to expand opportunities for an organization’s clients; and probe the degree to which nonprofit leaders take strategic steps to build social capital through their activities. Insights from the experiences of nonprofit leaders, volunteers, and participants are shared from both organizations. Since one of the two organizations is faith-based and the other secular, I consider how organizations engage matters of ethics and religion when serving the public or recruiting volunteers. This comparative case study provides a window on how social capital functions within human service nonprofit organizations and offers insight that may be useful to other leaders in designing and conducting human service programs.
Recommended Citation
Birch, Glenn M., "Building Social Capital in Nonprofit Human Service Organizations" (2024). School of Professional and Continuing Studies Nonprofit Studies Capstone Projects. 31.
https://scholarship.richmond.edu/spcs-nonprofitstudies-capstones/31