Research

GCN conducts original research to inform and improve our understanding of Georgia's nonprofit community. Reporting on sector trends, leadership development and management strategies, our initiatives lead in the advancement of statewide nonprofit research through a number of initiatives. Projects are carried out through survey design and administration, data gathering, and analysis. In addition to producing unique reports, we also monitor national nonprofit sector research.

	The nonprofit workforce speaks: Candid insight to attract, engage, and retain top mission-driven talent The demand for fulfilling, purpose-driven careers is growing – and yet, mission-driven employers must contend for top talent in a highly competitive hiring environment. This report from GCN's Work for Good, based on a survey of nonprofit professionals, delivers first-hand testimony and sound methods for attracting, engaging, and retaining your greatest assets: talented employees eager to make a difference. Download the ebook
	2014 Strategic Benchmarking Report Developed in collaboration with The Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta, GCN’s 2014 Strategic Benchmarking Report: A Study of Nonprofit Performance in the 23-County Metro Atlanta Area follows up our initial 2011 study identifying current practices in strategic planning, and examining the impact of planning on growth rates. Our bottom line discovery: a strong correlation between robust planning practices and organizational growth. Read the report.
	Taking Measure 2015 As a follow-up to the benchmark report in 2012, GCN partnered with Foundation Center-Atlanta, the Southeastern Council of Foundations, and Corporate Volunteer Vouncil of Atlanta to continue to measure the alignment between Georgia foundations and nonprofits. Read the report. View the presentation.
	Board Membership Motivations Our study provides insight into what drives board service, as well as demographic and psychographic data, from our survey of more than 700 Georgia board members. Read the full report.
	Nonprofit IMPACT Awards 2013 [case studies] The second annual competition of The Home Depot Foundation's Building Community Network celebrates high-performance leadership in four categories—Building Leaders for the Sector, Valuing All Voices, Developing Strategic Alliances, and Promoting Personal Leadership—sharing the insights and best practices from the eight winning Atlanta nonprofits. Read the highlights. Read the full report.
	A Study of Nonprofit Performance in the 23 County Metro Atlanta Area Developed in partnership with The Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta, this survey examines strategy development and policy engagement among metro Atlanta organizations. Read the highlights. Read the full report.
	Metro Atlanta Veterans Services Report This 2012 report is the first comprehensive Metro Atlanta-focused research project designed to help the philanthropic, business, government and nonprofit communities gain a more holistic understanding of how best to support area veterans. Read the highlights. Download the full report.
	The Economic Impact of Georgia's Nonprofit Sector This 2012 research report quantifies our sector’s powerful and growing contribution to the overall health of our economy. The nonprofit sector in Georgia produces over 13.2% of the state's employment. Despite this, the economic impacts of nonprofit organizations are often given little attention by traditional economic theory and applied economics. Read the highlights. Read the full report. Read the executive summary.
	Nonprofit IMPACT Awards 2012 [case studies] Launched in 2012 as a component of The Home Depot Foundation’s Building Community Network, this competition recognizes and shares best practices in Scaled Success, Innovative Process, Increased Support and Awareness, and Collaborative Action within Georgia’s nonprofit sector. This report showcases stories of eight nonprofits with initiatives that made considerable impact on their organization and mission, in one of four areas. Read the 2012 highlights. Read the 2012 full report.
	Engaging the Nonprofit Workforce: Mission, Management and Emotion This 2012 national research study by OpportunityKnocks.org, GCN's national HR reource, was conducted to better understand the ways in which nonprofit employees are engaged and the impact of engagement—and disengagement—upon individuals, organizations and the communities they serve. Read the summary. Read the executive briefing. Read the full report.
	Taking Measure GCN, in partnership with the Georgia Grantmakers Alliance and The Foundation Center - Atlanta, present the key findings of an in-depth 2012 survey that examines grant-making trends, practices and the needs of the sector. Read the highlights. View the presentation [ppt].
	2011 Georgia Nonprofit Governance Index An original research study by the Georgia Center for Nonprofits providing context and insight for citizens who serve as nonprofit board members and leaders. Read the executive overview. Read the full report.
	Navigating Health Care Reform New comprehensive federal health care reform legislation means big changes for Georgia’s nonprofit organizations, employees, and the people you serve. In 2010, GCN created this introduction to help navigate these changes. Download the 2010 guide.
	Social Enterprise in Georgia GCN, in partnership with The Home Depot Foundation, issued a survey to identify trends and identify challenges and opportunities in order to advance the field, inform investors, and further GCN‘s contrition to support nonprofit capacity-building. Visit our Social Enterprise page.

Research

Board Membership Motivations