The nonprofit sector occupies an ever more central role in economic and social policies, from the redesign of welfare system in the U.S. or UK, to fostering democracy in Central and Eastern Europe. At the same time, non-profit organizations face increased public scrutiny, and calls for more 'efficiency' and greater 'accountability'. Against this background, this revealing book explore keys policy issues such as:* Is the nonprofit sector in crisis? * What are the common themes and patterns in current policy debates concerning the future of the nonprofit sector?* What policy models are being discussed, and what are their implications?* How can nonprofit organiztions negotiate a course between commercialization and tighter government regulation?As this sector is confronted with often conflicting demands of new public management, tight budgeting, and greater competition, it arrives at a crucial crossroad in its development. Through the detailed investigations presented in this key book, postgraduate students of business and politics can fully explore this significant sector and analyze it's position in today's society.

Chapter 1 Third Sector Policy at the Crossroads, Helmut K. Anheier, Lisa Carlson, Jeremy Kendall; Chapter 2 The Nonprofit Sector at a Crossroads, Lester M. Salamon; Chapter 3 Putting Narrow-Mindedness out of Countenance, Nicholas Deakin; Chapter 4 Decentring America's Nonprofit Sector, Jennifer Wolch; Chapter 5 What Crises, What Challenges?, Paul Dekker; Chapter 6 The Role of Philanthropic Foundations, Elizabeth T. Boris, Julian Wolpert; Chapter 7 Corporate Philanthropy's Future, Dwight F. Burlingame; Chapter 8 On 'The role of philanthropic foundations: lessons from America's experience with private foundations', Leat Diana; Chapter 9 Corporatism Revisited, Zimmer Annette; Chapter 10 The Third Sector and the European Union Policy Process, Jeremy Kendall, Helmut K. Anheier; Chapter 11 The Distinction Between Institutionalized and Noninstitutionalized NPOs, Masayuki Deguchi; Chapter 12 The American Third Sector at the End of the Twentieth Century, Eleanor L. Brilliant; Chapter 13 NGOs and Their Vulnerabilities During the Time of Transition, Regulska Joanna; Chapter 14 Different Eastern European Countries at Different Crossroads, Kuti Éva; Chapter 15 Civil Organizations in Mexico, José Luis Méndez; Chapter 16 Beyond the crossroads, Cariño Ledivina V.; Chapter 17 South Africa, Habib Adam, Taylor Rupert; Chapter 18 Conclusion, Kendall Feremy, Anheier Helmut K.;