Investments in and for Nonprofit Organizations

The value-driven nature of nonprofit organizations calls for a broader understanding of investments outside of a purely financial conceptualization. Nonprofits ultimately strive for a social return, and allocating resources to nonprofit capacities is a vital form of investments. The four chapters of this thesis examine two types of nonprofit investments, impact investing and investments in nonprofit capacities, and focus on their influencing factors and effects. The findings reveal that strategic behavior and planning are crucial management tasks. The blurring of social and financial logics offers opportunities that if accompanied by a clear strategy enhances the work of nonprofits.

Sara Stühlinger holds a Bachelor of Art in Business and Economics and a Master of Science in Sustainable Development from the University of Basel. During her PhD at the Center for Philanthropy Studies (CEPS) of the University of Basel, she specialized in nonprofit management with a focus on financial management, professionalization, and impact investing. She is passionate about bringing together research and practice, for example, through teaching in executive trainings, contributing to publications for practitioners, and serving on the board of a local nonprofit organization.