Three Faces of the State and the Nonprofit Sector

Abstract

Recent changes in the U.S. nonprofit sector reflect the influence of market-based public policies and values. In this article, the authors suggest a framework to assess the effects of these policies and values on nonprofit sector characteristics. They propose three models of the state along with three corresponding models of the nonprofit sector. Using recent implementation of market-based policies in two policy domains, foster care and job training, they find that the market-based policies have significantly altered nonprofit behavior and structure. They conclude with suggestions for research using their models of the state and the nonprofit sector.