Case Studies in Nonprofit Management by Pat Libby and Laura Deitrick consists of original cases that are designed to teach students how to think critically, hone their decision-making skills, and learn to apply leadership and management principles that are essential for any nonprofit professional. These case studies illustrate the multifaceted nature of the nonprofit management sector and bring concepts like nonprofit leadership, risk management, advocacy, and grant making to life.
About the Author
Pat Libby is a management consultant to non-profits and philanthropies who views the work of nonprofit organizations through the kaleidescope of her experiences as a long-time CEO, board member, academic and consultant to innumerable organizations. Her 21-year consulting practice involves working with organizations to recruit executives, think and plan strategically, and find practical solutions to complex problems. For 14 years until July 2015, she served the University of San Diego as the founding director of its Nonprofit Institute which comprises nonprofit-focused graduate programs, a research center and community education programs serving hundreds of people and organizations each year.
The Institute is frequently cited as one of the nation's premier academic centers dedicated to advancing the work of philanthropic organizations. In creating the Institute, Pat realized a vision for an academic center that would interweave research, theory, and practice. Her extensive executive management experience also includes 8 years as president/CEO of the Massachusetts Association of Community Development Corporations.
While there, she transformed a financially bankrupt organization into a nationally recognized model for statewide CDC associations, leveraging nearly $200 million for Massachusetts community development efforts in the process. Pat is also the author of two books. The Lobbying Strategy Handbook (SAGE Publications, 2012), an engaging "how-to" guide for nonprofit practitioners who are seeking a simple blueprint for learning how to take part in the legislative process, and, with Laura Deitrick, Cases in Nonprofit Management (SAGE 2016). A Boston native, Pat holds a graduate degree in Urban Planning from MIT and a bachelor's degree in Spanish and Sociology from Tufts University.
Industry Reviews
"Libby and Detrick have compiled a rich and interesting set of cases that are sure to inspire thoughtful conversations in any NP management course." -- William A. Brown "The originality of the work is a huge advantage, as is the fact that they are teaching cases that end without a clear, "best" answer. Finally, the inclusion of issues unique to international nonprofits is a welcome addition and one I have not run across in previous texts." -- Doreen Swetkis "Libby and Detrick have compiled their extensive knowledge of the real issues that face our nonprofit sector to help students glean important lessons from each case. It is refreshing to have such a tool to assist in the education of our future nonprofit leaders." -- Emma A. Powell "Students will appreciate learning through these cases, as they serve as a safe place for pre-service students to test out ideas and solutions to real problems, and allow mid-career students an opportunity to reflect on similarities and differences in their own workplaces, all while tying theory to practice." -- Erin K. Nemenoff "This text is an excellent tool to provide students the "critical-thinking" application that is missing from many texts." -- Laurie Taylor-Hamm "Cases in Nonprofit Management -A hands on approach fills a real hole in the nonprofit curriculum. While good texts are increasingly coming to market, there are few supplemental texts and really nothing else that seeks so clearly to facilitate critical thinking and discussion among students." -- Shelly Arsneault "I would have no problem fitting this book into my graduate courses." -- Bonnie Peterson "Having short mini-cases for a broad range of topics that typically get covered in an Introduction to Nonprofit Management class is very useful and fills a long-standing need." -- Stefan Toepler
