ABSTRACT
The contexts in which nonprofits operate in the US, UK, Canada and Australia are undergoing significant change. This chapter assesses the implications of three sets of recent developments in: the regulatory regimes; philanthropy and social finance; and contracting for social services. The actual ‘public benefit’ and impact of philanthropy and charities is under increased scrutiny, and this is being embedded into regulatory and financing systems. Although these countries have strong traditions of philanthropy, it has become more reliant on older and High Net Worth donors so that most nonprofits must work harder for their income. The Millennials are starting to shake up the brand loyalty of the Boomer generation and have differing expectations for engaged, inclusive work environments. Social finance is widening the gap between the nonprofits with the sophistication and financial acumen to take advantage of these new tools and those that lack the capacity to do so. This division is reinforced by changing models of service delivery, which are also creating greater pressures for collaboration and mergers. To manage these major shifts nonprofits need to pay even greater attention to leadership, organization governance and more effective sector self-regulation.
