Evaluating a vital dimension of self-regulation of nonprofits

Abstract

This study evaluated one important dimension of nonprofit self-regulation, the relationship between the Iowa Register of Accountability and voluntary website disclosure by Iowa nonprofits. The purpose of this study was to assess the effectiveness of self-regulation in Iowa to improve accountability as measured by voluntary website disclosure and transparency. As part of the study, an instrument was developed to reliably measure nonprofit website disclosure and transparency. The disclosure score ratings from ACKNOWLEDGMENTS This research could not have been completed without the help, encouragement, patience, and kindness of many wonderful people. I would like to express my gratitude to my co-advisers, Jude West and Helen Schartz. I am deeply indebted to them for their durability, encouragement, and mentoring throughout this endeavor. I am grateful to the other members of my committee, Willard "Sandy" Boyd, Chester Rzonca, and Charles Connerly. All of them provided me with vital feedback and unfailing support. The University of Iowa's Larned A. Waterman Iowa Nonprofit Resource Center provided me with essential support to make this project possible. The research for my dissertation was conducted with their permission to use Iowa Register of Accountability and Iowa nonprofit organization databases. This is a great opportunity to express my gratitude to Richard Koontz, Director of the Iowa Nonprofit Resource Center, for fielding my innumerable questions about the intricacies of Iowa's nonprofit sector. I am pleased to thank GuideStar for providing complimentary access to their database through their GuideStar for Education program. Special, special thank yous. My heartfelt gratitude to my colleagues at the