Purpose
Connecting Up Australia is conducting a national research into the capacity development priorities of
the nonprofit sector in Australia 2009-2010 to build an understanding of current and emerging
nonprofit priorities in Australia. Research findings will be published and shared with the
sector, Government and other stakeholders. Findings will also be used to inform Connecting
Up as an organisation to represent and support nonprofit capacity development needs
among nonprofits and also with business, government and academic sectors. This valuable
data will enable the development of new strategies, collaborations and services.
Who is Connecting Up Australia?
Purpose
Connecting Up Australia is conducting a national research into the capacity development priorities of
the nonprofit sector in Australia 2009-2010 to build an understanding of current and emerging
nonprofit priorities in Australia. Research findings will be published and shared with the
sector, Government and other stakeholders. Findings will also be used to inform Connecting
Up as an organisation to represent and support nonprofit capacity development needs
among nonprofits and also with business, government and academic sectors. This valuable
data will enable the development of new strategies, collaborations and services.
Who is Connecting Up Australia?
Connecting Up Australia www.connectingup.org is an Australian nonprofit organisation
which has a 28 year long history of working to support the nonprofit sector. It has had a very
strong focus on community information provision and management with a concentration on
‘technology’ as a tool set to enable organisations to operate more successfully. In the last
couple of years Connecting Up’s profile internationally and nationally has developed further
with programs such as the Connecting Up Conference series and the www.DonorTec.com.au
– technology donations program, with technology being the tool set for a much broader
range of capacity development topics from fundraising and operational management to
service delivery. Our role as a facilitator of connections between nonprofits and other
sectors including private, public and academic has resulted in important opportunities
arising to bring new resources and support to the nonprofit sector in Australia.
For ongoing development and roll out of new initiatives to support the nonprofit sector
Connecting Up firstly wants to take stock of current priorities for the sector before it
commits to one opportunity over another. We want to listen closely to a broad section of
nonprofits – small to large across Australia in metropolitan centres, regional and remote
areas too.
We will be contacting organisations and inviting them to participate in this project to build a
current picture of nonprofit priorities for capacity development: what would make the work you do easier?
Researcher : Karen Gryst
Methodology – what does all this mean?
We will be contacting organisations and inviting them to participate in this project to build a
current picture of nonprofit priorities for capacity development – open question: what would make the work you do easier?
The methodology for the Listening project will be based on a critical thinking Participatory
Action Research model, with primary data collected through case studies. It will provide
extensive qualitative and quantitative data for the researcher to evaluate for ultimate
findings alongside the streams of activity which are anticipated by this type of research and
community engagement. The reason for choosing this methodology is its alignments with
the ethics of the organisation; Connecting Up which has a commitment to authenticity – to
find the true / real picture of the nonprofit sector it serves.
The Listening project will conduct research through a number of levels :
Case studies : The idea of case studies is that they provide much richer contextual
information than a survey and they allow through conversations a deeper
understanding of the real issues.
The researcher will attend existing network meetings or hold meetings by invitation
to consult a sector group of organisations and professionals.
An online survey will be sent to a large cross section of nonprofits across Australia to
help build the picture of nonprofit priorities.
Connecting Up Staff will make random opportunistic interviews with individual
representatives of organisations through events and meetings.
Research Conditions :
Your participation in this project will involve the recording of your statements by the researcher
utilising video as a recording device. The recordings which form part of the research data will not be
used for any other purpose than the research project and will not be published in a way that could
identify you or your organisation unless approved by you, with your permission in writing for each
instance of publishing.
All research by or on behalf of Connecting Up in terms of the Listening Project shall be carried out in
accordance with the ethical principles stated here:
• Principle 1: Sound application and conduct of social research methods and appropriate
dissemination and utilisation of the findings
• Principle 2: Participation based on valid informed consent
• Principle 3: Enabling participation
• Principle 4: Avoidance of personal harm
• Principle 5: Non-disclosure of identity and personal information
• Principle 6 : Respect and sensitivity to contextual factors including political, socio-cultural,
environmental, and economic (J. McIntyre –Achieving Social Rights and Responsibility; 1995)
Connecting Up shall if appropriate in terms of the Project conduct its research with a view to
reaching an evidence based conclusion or set of conclusion(s), shall provide evidence for any such
conclusions, shall be able to demonstrate a clear line of reasoning in the reaching of such
conclusion(s) and, where opinions or claims are proffered or necessary in relation to research
findings or conclusions, be able to substantiate such with clear and accurately recorded data. Should
the Project not require conclusions or a final report Connecting Up shall nevertheless carry out the
Project with due diligence, care and attention.
Connecting Up shall provide the Research participant with such reports of its work on the Project at
such intervals as Connecting Up deems necessary to keep participants in the project informed about
progress.
If you have any questions about the project or process or would like to express your interest
to participate please contact Karen Gryst at Connecting Up Australia : Tel (08) 8212 8555 ext
208 or email kg@connectingup.org
