U.S. preservation nonprofits in the 2010s

Shifting professional approaches, representation and identities

Bibliographic Data

ID17819158
AuthorsAnne‐lise K Velez (0000-0002-9396-7063, Virginia Tech, corresponding author), Joseph Daniel (0000-0002-6145-4060, Virginia Tech), McKenna Magoffin (Virginia Tech)
Year2024
Publication date2024-11-22
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueJournal of Cultural Heritage Management and Sustainable Development (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 2044-1266 • E-ISSN: 2044-1274
PublisherEmerald Publishing Limited (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1108/jchmsd-11-2023-0184
OpenAlexW4404633777
LanguageEN
References cited38

Purpose We assess changes that have taken place in organizational structure, governance structure and professional approach to U.S. nonprofit preservation from 2010 to 2020. This research contributes to our understanding of pressures shaping organizational capacity of cultural and historic preservation nonprofits in the U.S., focusing on changes in ecological influences at the national and regional level through the lenses of institutional theory and regionalism. Design/methodology/approach Data for this study are from an online survey of 75 cultural and historic preservation nonprofit organizations in the United States. The survey was developed based on previous interview research, and respondents were asked scaled and open-ended questions regarding the scope of their work and organizational capacity. Findings These data show resource preservation has shifted focus somewhat from individual, private sites to commercial or public buildings and districts. We also noted changes in professional approaches to preservation around engagement in disaster planning and the emergence of social justice as a focus area. Collectively, changes in preservation have implications for representation, public understanding of history and regional identities across the U.S., as well as for the way we understand changes in subfields or like groups of organizations within a larger population of organizations. Originality/value This study builds on previous research on the scope and capacity within the U.S. nonprofit cultural and historic preservation, including demonstrating a growing focus on social justice issues within the subsector. It contributes to institutional research on changes in subfields resulting from changes in external pressures and in culture. There are clear practical implications for practitioners seeking to understand the capacities and values in other organizations undertaking similar work. As preservation and cultural understanding of what is worth preserving and promoting changes, society can benefit by understanding current practitioner approaches and encouraging community–practitioner interactions

Corporate governance · Economics · Management · Originality · Political science · Population · Public relations · Qualitative research · Social science · Sociology · Cultural Heritage Management and Preservation · Nonprofit Sector and Volunteering · Public Administration · Service-Learning and Community Engagement

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