Research
ASAE Foundation Research advances knowledge in non-profit management by providing resources that help leaders focus on critical factors to enhance their organizations. We implement and facilitate the application of research findings by executives and boards through rigorously designed secondary, qualitative and quantitative methods. The Foundation collaborates with association professionals, scholars and leading universities to produce rigorous research that elevates the profession of association management and has practical implications for associations
What's New In Research?
ASAE Foundation Announces Winners of the 2013 Innovation Grants Program
Do you dream of being more innovative in your association? Wish you could observe others who are working in new ways? Know what you want to do, but don't have the seed money to get it started?
ASAE Foundation may be able to help you.
In a world seeming to evolve at the speed of light, continuous innovation is essential for any association that expects to remain relevant.
ASAE is committed to leading that effort — as a catalyst, role model, and incubator.
The ASAE Foundation Innovation Grants Program fulfills the incubator function by providing awards to support innovation exploration and development. This pilot program is one of many ASAE initiatives designed to raise awareness and encourage innovation in the association community.
Innovation can be defined as a new or significantly improved program, product, service, or process that adds value — usually for members or other stakeholders. It can be incremental or radical, but it basically comes down to this: any new idea that gets successfully implemented.
The ASAE Foundation Innovation Grants Program supports innovation by:
- Travel grants: For individuals who wish to pursue education in the area of innovation.
- Exploration grants: For organizations that want to study or implement a new process, product, or business model.
Hybrid applications (including both travel and exploration) will also be accepted.
Funding Levels
The ASAE Foundation Innovation Grants Program is offering four grants of up to $10,000 each.
Applications and Deadlines
Learn more about the application process.
Eligibility
Professional or trade associations, nonprofits, consulting companies that serve the association community and association industry partners are eligible to apply. All applicants or applicant teams must include at least one ASAE member. Learn more about the grant criteria.
Sun Trust Foundation is a major supporter of the Innovation Grants Program
Funding Sources
Funding for this grant is being provided by ASAE Foundation.
2013 Innovation Grants Program Award Winners (listed in alphabetical order)
- American Alliance of Museums
Proposal Title: Digital Badging — Microcredentialing for the Alliance Membership - Association of American Medical Colleges
Proposal Title: Accelerate! Using Innovation Tools to Meet Member Needs - Colorado Nonprofit Association
Proposal Title: On Demand Educational Toolkits - International Association of Diecutting and Diemaking
Proposal Title: THINK! Outside the Box
Meet the Recipients of the 2013 Innovation Grants
Compendium of Select 2013 Innovation Grant Program Abstracts
Committee
The ASAE Foundation Innovation Grants Program is managed by a committee of staff and volunteers, including:
Michelle Mason (Chair); Cynthia D'Amour, MBA; Celia Besore, MBA, CAE; Paul K. Farrell, AuD, CCC-A; Rita Chen Fujisawa, MBA, CAE; Chelsea Killam; Eric Lanke, CAE; Robb Lee; Sharon Moss, Ph.D. CAE; Mariah Burton Nelson, MPH, CAE; Mark Nelson, MBA, Ph.D.; Stephen Peeler; J. Clarke Price, CAE; Susan Robertson, CAE; Holly Shelton; Alexis Terry
Learn more about ASAE Innovation initiatives, tools and the history of innovation at ASAE.
Industry Research
This research is conducted for the benefit of our members and our profession, and includes benchmarking, strategic, and/or future-focused research. Publications include the Compensation Survey, Policies and Procedures in Association Management, Operating Ratio Report, all of the "Decision to…" studies, trends, the 990 project, and management of the relationship with the Center for Nonprofits at NC State. Industry Research is brought to members through the ASAE Foundation. See the following examples of Foundation research:
- Collaboration with the Institute for Nonprofits at NC State University
: The ASAE Foundation has entered into a partnership with NC State University with the goal of taking a scholarly approach to advancing knowledge in association management.
Here is some Foundation Research that can help you today:
- The "Decision to…" Series: This series of benchmarking studies addresses some of the most basic—and important—questions that associations face. Through this research and the resulting publications, youll gain insight into what motivates individuals' decisions to join, volunteer, give, and learn.
Knowledge Center
We provide an immense resource for all your secondary research needs. Visit our library in Washington, DC, review our frequently asked questions, or call (202-326-9559) or email for customized research services.
To learn more about ASAE's research, please email research@asaecenter.org.