What is the nonprofit sector and why does it exist? Collecting the writing of some of the most creative minds in the field of nonprofit studies, this book challenges our traditional understanding of the role and purpose of the nonprofit sector. It reflects on the ways in which new cultural and economic shifts bring existing assumptions into question and offers new conceptualizations of the nonprofit sector that will inform, provoke, and inspire. Nonprofit organization and activity is an enormously important part of social, cultural, and economic life around the world, but our conceptualization of their place in modern society is far from complete. Reimagining Nonprofits provides fresh insights that are necessary for understanding nonprofit organizations and sectors in the 21st century.

‘A welcome addition to the nonprofit field. Reimagining Nonprofits takes its departure from ten ‘seminal' theoretical perspectives on the ‘what' and ‘why' of the nonprofit sector and then examines the current relevance of these perspectives. The volume pays particular attention to the ‘why' – the sector's promises and potentials as well as its shortcomings and dark sides – and to alternative perspectives that become particularly important when examined in international contexts.'

Kirsten A. Grønbjerg - Director, Indiana Nonprofits Project, and Distinguished Professor, O'Neill School of Public & Environmental Affairs, Indiana University, Bloomington

‘A collection of fresh, innovative, and important perspectives on key problems in the nonprofit sector by a diverse group of thinkers in the field. Reimagining Nonprofits will help set the agenda for nonprofit research for many years to come.'

Mark Sidel - Doyle-Bascom Professor of Law and Public Affairs, University of Wisconsin, Madison

‘This is a refreshing look at what is distinct about the nonprofit sector. A new generation of scholars engages the question of the sector's very existence from their own perspectives. Bravo! The authors claim that the volume will ‘rekindle a curiosity about the nonprofit sector and its many roles in society.' I agree. It was exciting to revisit our old theories and explore some new ones. A ton to think about.'

Joseph Galaskiewicz - Professor of Sociology, University of Arizona