Healthy Organizations, Unhealthy Communities?

Abstract Nonprofit organizations are an important part of local social networks that connect individuals and organizations and enhance the capacity of communities to solve social problems. However, the commercialization of nonprofit organizations influences their ability to contribute to this social capital. We reason that commercialization of a nonprofit organization may reduce its ability to contribute to social capital if it weakens its social networks; makes its network of relationships less stable; reduces the size, diversity, or involvement of its governing board; or reduces its level of voluntary participation.