Sustainability of nonprofit organizations
: empowering African Entrepreneurs : the journey of grow movement

  • Marta Colaço de Freitas (Student)

Student thesis: Master's Thesis

Abstract

Nonprofit organizations (NPOs) are widely acknowledged for their contribution in serving the needs that the public sector is not able to effectively intervene on. Their existence is particularly important in developing countries, where they are not only long contributors for poverty relief and promotion of human rights, but have also been lately recognized as critical instruments to basic economic growth. By nature, NPOs cannot rely on profit to sustain their operations. They need to adopt alternative operational models that allow the alignment of their stakeholders these organizations depend on. The objective of this dissertation is to give an illustration of the sustainability journey of a skill-based volunteering NPO by showcasing the specific operational model of Grow Movement, a UK organization that focuses on empowering African entrepreneurs through virtual consultancy sessions. Through a case-study, the organization’s business model and sustainability journey are analyzed. The major challenges that Grow Movement has been facing and the CSF for its sustainability are analyzed, and possible solutions are proposed. It is ascertained that the creation of strong strategic partnerships is essential for the promotion of the brand, the recruitment of volunteers and the upkeep of its IT systems. Corporate sponsorship is found as the most viable solution for the lack of a solid volunteer recruitment system.
Date of Award24 Oct 2016
Original languageEnglish
Awarding Institution
  • Universidade Católica Portuguesa
SupervisorSusana Frazão Ferreira Fernandes Pinheiro (Supervisor)

Designation

  • Mestrado em Gestão: Programa Internacional

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