Question 1

The complexity of the nonprofit manager's job frequently results in ______.

Accepted Answer

The complexity of the nonprofit manager's job can lead to frustration and burnout, as they are often responsible for a wide range of tasks and have limited resources at their disposal. While intervention by board members and increased educational opportunities may occur, they are not necessarily a direct result of the job's complexity. And while some nonprofit managers may earn six-figure salaries, this is not universally true and not directly related to job complexity.

Question 2

What was the first school of management in the United States?

Accepted Answer

The Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania was the first school of management in the United States, founded in 1881. The other options listed are programs or centers focused on nonprofit organizations or philanthropy, rather than schools of management.

Question 3

People who view nonprofit organizations as social institutions portray nonprofit managers as ______.

Accepted Answer

Nonprofit organizations are seen as socially responsible organizations that serve the community or some greater social purpose, so it follows that nonprofit managers are seen as servants of society. Choice A might be partially true, as nonprofit managers do need to be effective leaders, but having a strong business background is not necessarily a requirement. Choice C is not accurate as capitalism is primarily concerned with making profit, which is not the primary objective of nonprofit organizations.  Choice D, while noble, is an exaggeration and not a typical portrayal of nonprofit managers.

Question 4

Throughout history, management theorists argued that ______.

Accepted Answer

Throughout history, management theorists argued that common management principles apply equally to all organizations, whether they are for-profit or nonprofit, large or small, government or privately owned. This has been a cornerstone of modern management theory and practice.

Question 5

Managers of nonprofit organizations measure their success by ______.

Accepted Answer

Nonprofit organizations have a mission to fulfill and operate with limited financial resources. Therefore, the success of a nonprofit organization is measured by achieving the mission within financial limits. While the other options may contribute to the success of a nonprofit organization, they are not the primary measure of success.

Question 6

According to Herman, one of the differences of managing a nonprofit versus a for-profit corporation is that nonprofit organizations ______

Accepted Answer

Nonprofit organizations prioritize fulfilling their mission and adhering to ethical values over making a profit, which can lead to different decision-making processes compared to for-profit corporations. Nonprofits can still generate revenue, pay taxes, and charge for services, but these actions are not the primary focus of the organization.

Question 7

Demands that organizational procedures comply with government regulations contributed to the need for ______.

Accepted Answer

The demand for compliance with regulations requires trained managers who can ensure that organizational procedures adhere to government requirements. It does not necessarily lead to dramatic organizational growth or require philanthropic contributions or long-term investments in nonprofits.

Question 8

The perception that nonprofits are less well managed than businesses is ______.

Accepted Answer

There is no conclusive research that supports the perception that nonprofits are less well managed than businesses. This perception is often based on myths and stereotypes, rather than evidence-based analysis.

Question 9

According to Higgins, nonprofit organizations have ______.

Accepted Answer

According to Higgins, nonprofit organizations may have board members with different goals and agendas, which can cause conflicts and challenges within the organization. The other options (A, B, and D) do not align with the common understanding or characteristics of nonprofit organizations.

Question 10

The nonprofit management literature is drawn from which three areas?

Accepted Answer

The nonprofit management literature is primarily developed from social science research, organizational theory, and practitioner reports. These three areas are considered the most reliable sources of information and knowledge in the field of nonprofit management. While customer complaints and community feedback can be useful sources of input, they are not as dependable as the other three areas mentioned in the options. Similarly, Internal Revenue Service financial reports may be useful for some specific purposes, but they do not constitute a major area of the nonprofit management literature.

Question 11

There has been a shift in thinking about nonprofits that emphasize ______.

Accepted Answer

The shift in thinking about nonprofits is towards building the strength of organizations themselves. This means focusing on developing skills, resources, and infrastructure to improve organizational capacity, rather than solely being driven by financial performance or individual compensation levels.

Question 12

Which organization accredits public administration degree programs?

Accepted Answer

The Network of Schools of Public Policy, Affairs, and Administration (NASPAA) accredits public administration degree programs.

Question 13

The requirement that nonprofits achieve measurable results increased the need for ______.

Accepted Answer

The requirement that nonprofits achieve measurable results increased the need for management, as organizations needed to track and measure their outcomes to demonstrate their effectiveness and justify their funding. Empowered customers, funding to state governments, and voucher programs may be important in other contexts, but they are not directly related to the need for measurable results in nonprofits.

Question 14

The beginning of management as a field of study dates back to the ______.

Accepted Answer

Management as a field of study began in the 19th century with the emergence of large-scale industrialization that required new forms of organization and management to efficiently run factories and businesses.

Question 15

Which decade marked a turning point in public policy, with government outsourcing more of the delivery of human services to nonprofit organizations?

Accepted Answer

The 1980s marked a significant shift in public policy towards the outsourcing of human services to nonprofit organizations, largely influenced by the Reagan administration's push for smaller government and increased privatization.

Question 16

The double bottom line concept means nonprofit managers must ______.

Accepted Answer

The double bottom line concept refers to achieving both financial sustainability and social impact. Nonprofit managers must therefore ensure they are achieving their mission while also managing their finances effectively. This means making sure they are able to generate the revenue they need to fulfill their mission while also avoiding financial deficits. While being accountable to donors and the IRS is important for nonprofits, it is not the primary focus of the double bottom line concept. The increase in value of a business and the wealth of its owners is more relevant to for-profit companies, not nonprofits.

Question 17

According to Frumkin, the "expressive" purpose of nonprofits is to serve as ______.

Accepted Answer

Frumkin argues that the "expressive" purpose of nonprofits is to serve as social institutions, meaning organizations that serve the public good, provide a sense of community, and foster civic engagement.

Question 18

A leader of a nonprofit organization is designing a new type of water purification system to improve living conditions for poor children. Which type of entrepreneurship is the leader demonstrating?

Accepted Answer

The leader is demonstrating social entrepreneurship by using entrepreneurial principles to create a social impact and solve a problem for a specific population in need. The focus is on creating positive social change rather than personal profit or gain.

Question 19

Most nonprofits obtain revenue from ______.

Accepted Answer

Nonprofits typically obtain revenue from multiple sources, such as donations from individuals and corporations, grants from foundations and government agencies, and income from selling products or services. Government contracts may be one of many revenue sources, but it is unlikely to be the sole source for most nonprofits. Nonprofits do not receive state taxes, as they are tax-exempt organizations.

Question 20

A force that drove the recent nonprofit management revolution was the ______.

Accepted Answer

The introduction of competition was a major factor driving the recent nonprofit management revolution, as nonprofit organizations were forced to become more efficient and effective in order to compete for funding and resources. This led to a focus on professionalization, accountability, and strategic planning.

Quiz 1: Nonprofit Management As a Profession and a Field of Study