Goal-Boundary Typology of Nonprofit organizations: A proposal

Abstract

Given that nonprofitness is a means to an end and not a goal in itself in nonprofits, we establish the need for a typology of nonprofits and propose a typology based on organizational goals and boundaries as the two dimensions. We distinguish between six Types based on two kinds of goals: service delivery and social transformation and three levels in boundaries of the informal-formal boundary continuum. The stability and transformation of organizations among these six Types is also discussed followed by an examination of accountability across these Types. We argue that accountability cannot be conceived as one undifferentiated process in nonprofits but as something which varies according to the Type of the organization.