The Changing Identity of Federated Community Service Organizations

Abstract

Organizational identity is that which is central, distinctive, and enduring about an organization. Clarity and consensus about organizational identity is an essential element in setting successful long term strategy in nonprofit organizations. At the same time, changing environmental conditions require that identities, and concomitant strategies, be revisited over time, in order to ensure survival and growth. This paper examines the experiences of an important subset of nonprofit organizations-community-based federations in the United States as they have evolved from the end of the 19th century to the present day. These organizations originally emerged as vehicles for the more efficient collection and distribution of charitable contributions and provision of related services, but over time their identities have evolved in important ways. The differential experiences of United Ways, alternative funds, Catholic Charities, and United Jewish Communities illustrate various possible identities for such federated organizations. The future success of these organizations depends on successful adaptation of their identities to contemporary conditions, and the implementation of new strategies consistent with, and supportive of, those identities.