Title

Creating One Non-Profit Organization From Two Distinct Cultures: A Study of How This Process Works

Author

Jacqueline J. Stipe, Concordia University, St. Paul

Date

2001

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Arts

Chairperson (Advisor 1)

Dr. Charles Nuckles

Reader (Advisor 2)

Dr. Charlotte Knoche

Abstract

The purpose of the project was to determine the cultures of two non-profit food banks, forecast the imminent blending, and present a plan for merging the cultures of these two food banks. The non-profit world has been undergoing many changes in the last few years. Non-profits have come to the realization that their organizations are businesses and must operate them as for-profit businesses. They need to think about the non-profit world's bottom line: How to use the donation of dollars and product to be efficient and help people. Today's donors make informed donations, looking carefully at the impact of giving to determine if they are being used in the most efficient and effective manner. No longer does the average donor give to a particular organization because their parents or friends donate. They do not assume that a non-profit organization will use their money wisely to do the best for the needy. They carefully investigate the donor before donating their hard-earned money. It is an advantage for the non-profit to show new and past donors that they are business wise and will handle the donations appropriately.

This paper takes an in-depth look at the Second Harvest Food Bank of Greater Minneapolis (SHFBGM) and Second Harvest St. Paul Food Bank's (SHSPFB) distinct cultures. The goal of this project was to determine characteristics of each organizational culture, to reflect and evaluate the results of the survey, and to reveal where the similarities and differences in the food banks' cultures. How might these two successful non-profit cultures come together to make a new and efficient food bank of the future? The researcher pictures these food banks as two strong walls that are made from different materials. They both are strong, firm, steady walls that do a remarkable job. As these two walls merge and blend together, they will become the "cornerstone" of the new organization. This paper will look at these two "walls" and discover what they are made of and how well they can become a cornerstone of the future.

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