What are nonprofit incubators?

Summary:

Organizations that help foster the development of young nonprofits are called 'incubators.' Often they operate a building with shared common facilities.

Answer:

It's an appealing idea that a group might create a facility where new nonprofits can co-locate, use shared facilities such as conference rooms and email access, and reinforce each other as they develop their programs.

Many communities have such organizations; they have an association http://www.nonprofitcenters.org/ -- The NonprofitCenters Network.

Diane Vinokur-Kaplan and Joseph A. Connor presented a paper on what makes a successful incubator, with a bibliography, at the International Society for Third Sector Research meeting in Geneva in 1998. See http://www.jhu.edu/~istr/conferences/geneva/confpapers/diane.vinokur-kaplan.html

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Posted 9/24/05 -- PB