This project examines the creation and mission content of non-governmental organizations [NGOs] based in the United States. The goal of this project is to develop and test theory about variation in NGO creation and mission content. It asks questions such as: when and why are NGOs created, and for what purposes? Despite the practical and theoretical importance of non-governmental organizations, scholars have given little systematic attention to when NGOs are founded and the purposes for which NGOs are created. This project combines theory from multiple disciplines to enhance knowledge of organizational creation, examining NGOs over time and across different sectors. The proposed project offers two key advances. Methodologically, the project employs experimental and qualitative methods to complement traditional observational, quantitative approaches to organizational creation. Theoretically, the project examines mission content and innovation in NGO creation, building on previous work to examine new outcome variables. 

This research is supported by National Science Foundation award #1758755. Any opinions, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation.

For more information please contact Sarah Bush sarah[dot]bush[at]yale.edu or Jennifer Hadden jhadden1[at]umd.edu