Where Do Nonprofits Fit in Obama’s Plans?

(Nov. 10, 2008)
During the U.S. presidential campaign, Sen. Barack Obama shared his plans to stimulate public service and build the capacity of nonprofits, including initiatives to encourage new and more effective nonprofit programs.
Obama, now U.S. president-elect, put forth a three-step plan to increase public service. The first component is a large expansion of the size and scope of America’s federally funded volunteer programs, such as AmeriCorps and the Peace Corps. The second part is moving these volunteer service and “service-learning” programs into schools and colleges. The third aspect is leveraging public and private sector investment to “incorporate higher levels of competition, innovation, and accountability” in the nonprofit sector.
Obama’s plans for nonprofits themselves were not very specific, but do call for the creation of an agency within the Corporation for National and Community Service called the Social Entrepreneurship Agency for Nonprofits. The agency would make grants to build the infrastructure of the nonprofit sector and capacity of nonprofit organizations, including their ability to ensure accountability, manage volunteers and improve outcomes.

Barack Obama’s plan to increase public service and improve nonprofits can be found on his campaign website. For more about Barack Obama’s proposed plans affecting the nonprofit sector, see this campaign coverage on The Chronicle of Philanthropy‘s website.