ABSTRACT
Many of the current sustainability initiatives are conceived and typically occur in nonprofit or nongovernmental organizations. This chapter will examine system leadership for sustainability within nonprofit organizations and NGOs. Both types of organizations will be briefly described with examples identified of organizations relevant to the sustainability movement. Examples of how system leadership can be applied within nonprofit organizations and NGOs to achieve sustainable outcomes will be provided. While examples of system leaders within existing literature are limited to the field of education, many individuals are demonstrating sustainability system leadership in the nonprofit and NGO sectors, without awareness that the leadership method being used is system leadership. Global perspectives of system leadership and challenges and barriers to implementing system leadership within these organizations will be examined. The chapter will include a spotlight summary of a system leader from within this sector and a case study related to NGO system leadership.
