Q: Who can become a panel member?
Invitations are periodically sent to the leaders (executive directors or equivalent positions) of selected 501c3 nonprofit organizations. Invited leaders can opt to join the panel by accepting the invitation.
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Q: How do I join the panel?
You can sign up to be a panelist if your nonprofit organization is selected and invited to join. If you, as a leader of your nonprofit, have received an invitation from us, click the “join the panel” button in the invitation email.
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Q: My organization did not receive an invitation, but we would like to join the panel.
If you are a leader of your 501c3 nonprofit organization (e.g., Executive Director, CEO, or President), you can join the panel on behalf of your nonprofit organization to share your organization’s experiences and hear what other nonprofits similar to yours go through. Please contact us directly at norpanel@gmu.edu.
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Q: My organization received an invitation, but can we have a staff complete the surveys on behalf of our organization instead of our executive director?
Yes, although we encourage executive directors or others in an equivalent position to complete the survey to maintain consistency in the data collection process, it is acceptable for a senior staff member or middle manager to participate in surveys on behalf of your organization.
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Q: If I join the panel, how often will I receive an invitation to participate in an online survey?
On behalf of your organization, you will receive survey invitations up to 3 times a year. You can always “choose” whether or not to participate in any particular survey.
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Q: What kinds of surveys or studies will you send me?
NORP surveys and studies focus on issues related to working in nonprofit organizations. Topics may include work experiences, decision-making, technology, collaboration, organizational performance, and others. Legitimate academic researchers sponsor our surveys. We will never send you any political, religious, or marketing surveys. Again, you always have the right to opt in or out of surveys.
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Q: Who has access to the data?
All answers are confidential and used for research purposes only. Access to the database will be strictly restricted to the NORP research team. Study results will be published only in aggregate or summary form, and no individual organization’s information will be shared and identifiable.
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Q: My organization is invited but I’m not certain why my participation is important.
First of all, you can help the nonprofit sector to build the knowledge that we currently lack. Nonprofit organizations are important contributors to the US economy and social well-being but lack robust, nationally representative data for research and practice. The Nonprofit Organization Research Panel (NORP) intends to fill such data gap and contributes to advancing knowledge and practice in the nonprofit sector. NORP aims to increase access to data-intensive research about nonprofit performance and lead to more scientifically informed decision-making by nonprofit organizations, policymakers, and funders.
In addition, if you become part of the NORP, you (and your organization) can access all NORP study results, and you (and your organization) can learn about how other nonprofits like yours operate under uncertain conditions. We also send all NORP members summary reports upon their release and offer exclusive access to some of the journal articles that are based on the NORP survey results.
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Q: What if I want to opt out of the panel in future?
If you wish to opt out of the panel, you can reply to the survey invitation with “opt out” in the subject line or send an email to norpanel@gmu.edu at any time.
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Q: If I’m leaving my organization, what should I do?
Your organization can continue to participate in the NORP by having your successor complete the surveys. He/she can simply send us an email to norpanel@gmu.edu to update the information. If you are moving to another nonprofit that is not part of the NORP but would like to be, let us know by email.
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Q: Who are the people running NORP?
NORP is a university-affiliated, nonprofit project, directed by Prof. Mirae Kim (mkim216@gmu.edu) at George Mason University’s Schar School of Policy and Government. Student research assistants and staff at George Mason University help run the project.
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