Nonprofit & Voluntary Sector Studies Network

The Nonprofit & Voluntary Sector Studies Network (NVSSN) is an interdisciplinary, community-university collaborative program comprising of students, the voluntary sector and faculty/staff. The NVSSN is building sustainable communities by developing the tools required to equip voluntary sector with the knowledge and skills it needs in order to continue working toward the enhancement of the quality of life and well-being of all people. NVSSN embraces three inter-related themes: "Learn, Research, Innovate" Learning at NVSSN encompasses different models of course delivery: semester-long courses, online courses, webinars, block classes, evening seminars and ‘weekend university’. All learners are welcome to join the program - graduate and undergraduate students, voluntary sector staff and volunteers, faculty, and anyone interested in the nonprofit and voluntary sector. Community-based research is a multi-dimensional, systematic, documented and evaluated process of discovery that is entrenched in both theoretical literature and the real-world that results in products that are public, peer-reviewed, change-oriented and made available to others for further use. Innovation is an essential component because the voluntary sector is undergoing transformational shifts today (e.g., shifts in the charity, social justice, and social enterprise models).