Ongoing Research

Peter Frumkin

AmeriCorps*Texas Statewide Evaluation

The goal of the evaluation is to analyze the value added of AmeriCorps State and National programs to Texas and to assess the organizational and management structures most commonly associated with successful, value-adding programs. The evaluation will help to describe the impact that AmeriCorps programs have on their communities, as well as demonstrate why some programs produce more benefits than others. The project is funded by the OneStar Foundation. Results from the evaluation will improve the ability of OneStar and their AmeriCorps grantees to understand program impact, as well as assist them to better achieve their program objectives.

Contact Rebecca Sorensen for more information on this project.

Cultural Infrastructure Project

In collaboration with the National Opinion Research Center at the University of Chicago, Director Peter Frumkin is embarking on a study of the recent building boom in the cultural sector. The project is funded by the Mellon, MacArthur, and Kresge foundations and seeks to examine how key decisions are made during the planning and execution of new constructions of museums, theaters, and performing arts centers as well as what factors influence the projects' degree of success. Frumkin and his team will produce management case studies suitable for executive education and graduate courses in arts management.

For information on this project, contact Ana Kolendo at: akolendo@mail.utexas.edu.

Sarah Jane Rehnborg

One of the distinguishing features of the nonprofit sector is the engagement of volunteers in all aspects of organizational work. Volunteers perform important policy work through their participation on boards of directors, they advocate for causes of significance, sit on planning and visioning committees and donate countless hours of direct and indirect support to clients and causes. Furthering the effective engagement of volunteers through high quality management is an educational, research and outreach priority for the RGK Center.

For questions about the Center's activities in this area or to investigate collaborative opportunities, please contact Sarah Jane Rehnborg.

Serviceleader.org

Serviceleader.org strives to provide volunteers and the leaders of volunteer initiatives with high-quality information that furthers the study and practice of volunteerism. The site is operated by the RGK Center for Philanthropy and Community Service in the LBJ School of Public Affairs at The University of Texas at Austin. Content is developed by Center faculty, guest authors, and students engaged in the study of volunteerism.