Research That Matters - A Global Deep Dive

In this article from the  Journal of Nonprofit Innovation , we explore how supervised practice in school settings can serve as a powerful tool for addressing one of today’s most pressing public health and sustainability challenges—food waste. Drawing on the Utah State University Master of Dietetics Administration (USU MDA) program, the study highlights how experiential learning enables dietetic st...

In this episode, we explore research from the  Journal of Nonprofit Innovation  that challenges one of the most deeply held assumptions in the nonprofit sector—that sustainability is primarily about funding. Drawing on global trends and real-world examples, this thought paper reveals how increasing volatility in traditional funding streams, shifting donor behavior, and reliance on short-term or re...

In this episode, we explore research from the  Journal of Nonprofit Innovation  that takes a closer look at what nonprofit leaders themselves say are their biggest challenges—and the results may challenge common assumptions. While funding and financial sustainability are the most frequently cited struggles, this study of 77 nonprofit leaders reveals a deeper and more complex reality . Through a qu...

In this episode, we explore research from the  Journal of Nonprofit Innovation  that unpacks a fundamental question in philanthropy: why do people give—and why do they choose not to? While global giving remains high, participation is becoming more concentrated, with fewer donors contributing a larger share of total donations . This episode dives into the complex mix of factors that shape philanthr...

In this episode, we explore emerging research from the  Journal of Nonprofit Innovation  that challenges how we understand philanthropy—particularly the complex and sometimes hidden dynamics behind corporate giving. While philanthropy is often viewed as a signal of social responsibility and ethical leadership, recent studies reveal a more complicated reality. One study highlights how corporate don...

This episode of  Research That Matters  is based on the article  “Developing Servant Leadership in Nonprofit Organizations”  by  Dr. Seth Martinez, Boise State University , published in the  Journal of Nonprofit Innovation , Volume 2, Issue 2 (March 2022). In this conversation, we explore why servant leadership offers a powerful ethical model for nonprofit organizations—and how nonprofits can inte...

This episode of  Research That Matters - A Global Deep Dive  is based on the article  “Machine Learning for Nonprofit Organizations”  by  Justin Holzer, Worcester Polytechnic Institute , published in the  Journal of Nonprofit Innovation , Volume 4, Issue 2 (June 2024). In this conversation, we break down how machine learning can help nonprofits increase efficiency, improve decision-making, and max...

This episode of Research That Matters - A Global Deep Dive is based on the article “Addressing Adolescent Suicide in South Korea” by Alyssa Kang, Brigham Young University , published in the Journal of Nonprofit Innovation . In this conversation, we examine why suicide has been the leading cause of death among South Korean adolescents since 2011 and explore the complex social, cultural, psychologic...

This episode of  Research That Matters  is based on the article  “Investigating the Potential Benefits of Standards-Based Grading Practices at Urban Secondary Schools in Southern Utah: A Qualitative Study,”  published in the  Journal of Nonprofit Innovation, by Dr. April Larsen, University of Arizona. In this conversation, we explore whether traditional letter grades truly reflect student learning...

In this episode of  Research That Matters , we explore what truly drives employee satisfaction in nonprofit organizations in the United States. Drawing from an article by Kristi Egbert from Minnesota State Mankato , published in the  Journal of Nonprofit Innovation , this conversation examines why nonprofit employees often earn less than their for-profit counterparts—yet still report meaningful le...

In this episode of  Making a Difference: A Research for Practice Podcast , we explore the thought paper  “Russia: Increased Corruption and Deterioration of Freedom, Is there Hope?”  published in the  Journal of Nonprofit Innovation . This research examines how political corruption has intensified in Russia under Vladimir Putin’s rule, highlighting five structural drivers of corruption—including ce...

In this episode of  Making a Difference: A Research for Practice Podcast , we explore the article  “Mapping Nonprofit Data Accessibility in Latin American Countries: Early Insights from an Exploratory Comparative Study,”  published in the  Journal of Nonprofit Innovation , Volume 5, Issue 3 (September 2025). This research examines nonprofit registries across 20 Latin American countries, asking cri...

In this episode of  Making a Difference: A Research for Practice Podcast , we unpack  Bridging Theory and Practice: The Vision and Action Plan of the ISTR Research for Practice Affinity Group , a foundational article from the  Journal of Nonprofit Innovation . This conversation explores why the gap between nonprofit research and real-world practice persists—and what it actually takes to close it....

Access to reliable nonprofit data is foundational to transparency, accountability, and informed decision-making—yet across the world, that access remains deeply uneven. In this episode, we break down the research behind  Analyzing Global Nonprofit Data Accessibility: Preliminary Findings from a Cross-National Comparative Study  and explore what it reveals about how countries collect, manage, and p...

As children and families spend more time online, the risks they face—from data breaches and cyberattacks to online exploitation—are growing at an unprecedented rate. In this episode, we translate the research behind  Online Safety Laws by Country  into an accessible conversation for nonprofit leaders, practitioners, and policymakers. Drawing on a global review of online safety and data protection...

This podcast episode translates recent academic research on  migrants and refugees  into an accessible conversation for nonprofit leaders, policymakers, educators, and service providers working in displacement, resettlement, and humanitarian response. Drawing from multiple peer-reviewed studies, the episode explores the lived experiences of refugees across contexts, including prolonged stays in re...

This podcast episode translates critical research on  children’s online safety  into an accessible conversation for nonprofit leaders, educators, policymakers, and advocates working to protect children in an increasingly digital world. Drawing on multiple peer-reviewed studies, the episode explores the growing risks associated with internet use—including  digital kidnapping, deepfakes, online groo...

Food Insecurity, Climate Change Concerns and Innovation  is a podcast episode that translates recent academic research into practical insights for nonprofit leaders, policymakers, and community practitioners working at the intersection of food systems and social impact. Drawing from multiple peer-reviewed studies, this episode explores how climate change, economic instability, and global crises ar...

In this episode, we explore  Charitable Giving , drawing from the  Journal of Nonprofit Innovation ’s research summaries to examine what the evidence tells us about why people give, how trust and transparency influence donor behavior, and which fundraising approaches are most effective in practice. By translating academic research into real-world insight, this conversation helps nonprofit leaders...

This episode explores  Artificial Intelligence and the latest research nonprofit leaders need to know , drawing from  Research Summaries: Artificial Intelligence and Data for Nonprofits . The conversation examines how emerging technologies— including AI, data systems, and digital tools—are reshaping nonprofit decision-making, transparency, accountability, and organizational capacity. Grounded in c...

In this episode, we explore  Research Summaries: Health , a curated collection of research highlighting how health outcomes are shaped by access, systems, and community-based support. The conversation spans mental health, preventative care, health equity, trauma-informed approaches, and the social determinants of health, with a particular focus on the role nonprofits play in addressing gaps left b...

In this episode, we unpack  Research Summaries: Access to Education  from the  Journal of Nonprofit Innovation , a special issue that brings together global research on how education access is shaped—and often constrained—by systems, policy, and lived experience. Drawing from studies across early childhood education, literacy ecosystems, prison education, menstrual equity, college access, digital...

This episode of the  Research That Matters Podcast  is based on research summaries from the  Journal of Nonprofit Innovation  January 2025 issue,  Partnerships and Collaboration . Drawing from the academic summaries featured in this issue, the episode examines what makes nonprofit partnerships effective—and why clearly defined outcomes often matter more than shared values alone. The episode highli...

This episode of the  Research That Matters Podcast  is based on article summaries from  Volume 5, Issue 2 (2025)  of the  Journal of Nonprofit Innovation ,  Human Rights Violations & Social Injustices . Drawing from the research featured in this issue, the episode examines the often unseen systems, structures, and policies that contribute to persistent social injustices and human rights violat...

This episode 2 of the  Research That Matters Podcast  is based on the  Journal of Nonprofit Innovation  September 2025 article,  “Research Summaries – Research for Practice.”  The episode synthesizes applied research featured in the issue and highlights how scholarly work is being translated into practical insights for nonprofit leaders and practitioners. Focusing on the growing  research-for-prac...