IFF conducts independent applied and primary research for and about the nonprofit sector, helping leaders make informed decisions about programs and services, resources, and public policy. Research is funded through government and foundation grants. Nonprofits can also contract with IFF for projects.

Research projects include:

• Needs assessments by service and geography
• Assessment of organizational capacity for existing or new services
• Qualitative analysis of nonprofit service delivery and client experience
• Program evaluation
• Nonprofit financial trends, financial health, and financial management
• Analysis of population and economic trends Data to support strategic planning
• Mapping and analysis of program data

For more information, contact Susan Cahn, Director of Research, 866 629 0060.

IFF Research

	Missouri Nonprofits: Building Capacity for the 21st Century Conducted in partnership with the Nonprofit Services Center in St. Louis, MO, this survey establishes a baseline of data on the finances and management of small to midsized nonprofits that provide direct services to the Missouri public. Full Report: [PDF 635KB] Executive Summary: [PDF 334KB]
	Opportunities and Challenges: A Community Perspective on Nonprofit Services for Latinos and Community Need A study by IFF and Heartland Alliance for Human Needs & Human Rights documents the extent of services and gaps in capacity in the Chicago metropolitan area in order to understand government and philanthropic funding needed for future service enhancement and expansion. [PDF 706KB]
	Illinois Nonprofits: Building Capacity for the Next Century A statewide study of the financial health of the nonprofit sector. Published in 1998 by the IFF and the Donors Forum of Chicago. [PDF 189KB]
	Getting It Right: How Illinois Nonprofits Manage for Success A survey co-sponsored by IFF and the Donors Forum of Chicago on the financial health of nonprofits in Illinois. The study covers the years of 2001 to 2003 and its results highlight challenges and opportunities nonprofit organizations face. [PDF 528KB]
	Capacity-Building Digest #1 Building the Nonprofit Board of Directors Out of the Illinois Nonprofits: Building Capacity for the Next Century study grew the Capacity-Building Digest series, anecdotal examinations of issues affecting the capacity of nonprofits. [PDF 148KB]
	Capacity-Building Digest #2 Property Tax Exemption Out of the Illinois Nonprofits: Building Capacity for the Next Century study grew the Capacity-Building Digest series, anecdotal examinations of issues affecting the capacity of nonprofits. [PDF 63KB]
	Capacity-Building Digest #3 Social Entrepreneurship: The Double Bottom Line Out of the Illinois Nonprofits: Building Capacity for the Next Century study grew the Capacity-Building Digest series, anecdotal examinations of issues affecting the capacity of nonprofits. [PDF 114KB]
	Capacity Building Digest #4 Mergers in the Nonprofit Sector Out of the Illinois Nonprofits: Building Capacity for the Next Century study grew the Capacity-Building Digest series, anecdotal examinations of issues affecting the capacity of nonprofits. [PDF 71KB]
	Capacity Building Digest #5 Costs of Late Government Payments Out of the Illinois Nonprofits: Building Capacity for the Next Century study grew the Capacity-Building Digest series, anecdotal examinations of issues affecting the capacity of nonprofits. [PDF 117KB]