The aim of the qualitative component of the study is to foster a discussion grounded in the quantitative findings on the selection mechanism involved in the relationships between
foundations and grantees. I contemplate on the idea that there are ‘winners’ of foundation funding, but also those that do not receive foundation funding. The non-recipients are not a universal group hence should fall into different groups.
In-depth face-to-face and phone interviews are used to further explore issues related to the selection mechanism: the organizational barriers to NGO-foundation relationships, the various perceptions within the organizations about their relationships with foundations, and the
underpinning of the NGO-foundation selection processes as identified in the theoretical chapter. DV:
Foundation funding
1. Funding success (Y/N) 2. Level of dependence (%) Demographic Characteristics Age (log) Geographic orientation Size (log employees)
Organizational Structures
Active members (log) Volunteer dependence Legal status
Board size Strategies of
Operation Target: Government (advocacy) Ideational Characteristics Paradigm: Nature conservation
4.5.1. Research Design
I use a case study research design to inform the qualitative analysis of the selection mechanism involved in the relationship between foundations and their grantees. Using a case study method to augment quantitative findings is a well-recognized methodology (Yin, 2009). Case studies provide a rich and ‘thick’ description of a phenomenon, which cannot be equally captured through quantitative research.
Yin (2009) defines the scope of a case study as investigation of a phenomenon within its context, specifically because the researcher believes that the contextual conditions might be relevant to and influential on the phenomenon. When contemporary phenomenon is involved and when in-depth understanding is needed, case study is a relevant choice (Yin, 2009). Case studies are useful in building theory (Eisenhardt, 1989). As Eisenhardt and Graebner (2007, p. 25) posited:
Building theory from case studies is a research strategy that involves using one or more cases to create theoretical constructs, propositions and/or midrange theory from case-based, empirical evidence. […] The central notion is to use cases as the basis from which to develop theory inductively. The theory is emergent in the sense that it is situated in and developed by recognizing patterns of relationships among constructs within and across cases and their underlying logical arguments.
One of the advantages of using the case study design is the ability to use both qualitative methods (e.g. interviews) and quantitative sources (e.g. survey) to inform an understanding of a phenomenon. Findings of a case study can clarify context more than to generalize to population (Van Evera, 1997; Yin, 2009); generalization is the case study’s weakest part (King, Keohane, & Verba, 1994; Yin, 2009). In contrast to population studies that examine prevalence of major issues across a population, case studies cannot answer questions concerning the prevalence of particular issues, strategies or practices in the broader population, and may over-represent novel strategies (Andrews & Edwards, 2005, p. 217).
4.5.2. Data Collection
The analysis is based on in-depth semi-structured phone and face-to-face interviews as well as email correspondence held with representatives of Israeli ENGOs and other key informants from May through July 2011. Fifteen ENGO representatives and five experts and foundation
representatives were interviewed (total n=20 interviewees). Interviewees represented a multiple organizational perspectives: from small organizations that had no foundation funding, and were struggling to receive such for the first time, through organizations that had no or minimal support from foundations while having alternative sources, to organizations that had already established some relationships with foundations but were still looking for the golden path. Interviewees were selected based on information provided in the survey described above. Organizations reporting to have no foundation funding, or those that applied for foundation grants unsuccessfully, were contacted with request to participate in a more in-depth study. If consent was granted, face-to- face or phone interviews were scheduled. Interviews lasted between 45 (most phone interviews) to 90 minutes (face-to-face interviews). In the interviews, some questions were prepared in advance to trigger the interview discussion, and others were developed based on interviewees’ response. The interviews assisted to better understand the connections established between donors and grantees and especially the barriers of ENGOs who were not successful in being selected by foundations to receive financial support. Media and published reports were also collected and analyzed to supplement the interviews in provide a narrative of ENGO-foundation relations.
4.6. Chapter Summary
Using a mix of qualitative and quantitative methods, I designed a study that explores foundation relations with Israeli ENGOs. A mixed-methods design is the most comprehensive way for understanding a phenomenon. In the next chapter, I first present findings from a quantitative study and then utilize qualitative interviews that add context and provide deeper insight into the barriers of foundation-grantee relations.
CHAPTER 5:
Research Findings: ENGOs, Selection, and Foundation Funding
5.1. Chapter Overview
This chapter presents findings of the study. In the first part of the chapter, I provide a
portrayal of financial characteristics of Israeli ENGOs (budget, sources of funding) and identify the centrality of foundations as a funding source in order to justify foundation funding as the focus of this study. I then present the results of two bivariate analyses, based on which regression analyses are informed and presented in the third part:
• In the descriptive section, frequency tables and graphs with aggregated data of the ENGOs’
revenue sources, as well as demographic variables, are presented.
• In the bivariate analysis section, t-tests are first presented for group comparisons of ENGOs
receiving foundation funding vs. those who do not. Then, the independent variables used in the regression models are examined in a correlation matrix.
• In the regression section, a series of regression models are conducted to examine the extent to
which the identified organizational characteristics (independent variables IV) affect the funding success and the level of dependence on foundation funding (two measures of the dependent variable DV). Logistic regression is used in reference to the binary representation; Tobit and ordinary least square (OLS) models are used with the continuous representation of the DV; the OLS model is the base reference with which the Tobit models are compared. The reason for these models’ choice is discussed in more detail below.
• In the qualitative section, I compare findings from the quantitative regression model against
data collected from grantees using in-depth open-ended interviews about their relations with philanthropic foundations. The goal of this section is to foster a qualitative and nuanced discussion on the relationships between foundations and non-funded groups.