AAM collaborates with the Johns Hopkins Center for Civil Society Studies in the “Nonprofit Listening Post Project,” a multi-year study of major developments in the nonprofit field. The study explores key forces facing nonprofits, such as fiscal pressures, growth of for-profit competition, and new demands for accountability, as well as the creative ways in which nonprofits are responding to these challenges. The goals of the project include improving management of nonprofit organizations by equipping leaders with leading-edge knowledge in the field, and improving public awareness of the challenges faced by the nonprofit sector. Participants serve as “listening posts,” respond to periodic “soundings” (short, on-line questionnaires) on topics such as community partnerships, and financial health. The project overall will involve 1,000 to 1,500 listening posts throughout the country, including nonprofits in the areas of social services, health, arts and culture, and community and economic development. Participating museums will receive early briefings on the results of the studies, and invitations to workshops and seminars held by Johns Hopkins.

For more information see http://www.jhu.edu/listeningpost/news/.

Museums may volunteer to participate as listening posts by contacting bmerritt@aam-us.org. Participating institutions must have access to the internet.