Guided by Faith? Comparing Faith-based and Secular Nonprofits’ Planning Practices

This research evaluates whether differences exist between faith-based and secular nonprofit organizations in regards to budgeting, strategic planning, and succession planning. This includes an evaluation of both organizational beliefs and practices. The study utilizes a survey sample of 48 nonprofit respondents from Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. Chi-square analysis is performed to identify the relationship between organizational religiosity and nonprofit beliefs and practices. Any relationships meeting a 90% confidence interval receive further linear regression analysis. There is a statistically significant relationship between faith-based organizations and budgeting practices. Faith-based organizations, limited to Christian service organizations in this study, are less likely to have organizational budgets in place. The variables have a moderate to strong relationship though it explains little about the dependent variable. The remaining hypotheses find no statistically significant support and cannot reject their null hypotheses. There is no statistically significant relationship identified between organizational religiosity and succession planning practice, strategic planning practice, or the belief in the value of succession planning, strategic planning, or budgeting. Some other statistically significant relationships are identified through analysis, though they are not the primary focus of the research question