Founders of Human Service Non-profits in Maricopa County, Arizona: Inception and Start-up Stories

abstract: The growth the nonprofit sector has experienced not only nationally but within the state of Arizona has been tremendous. The growth occurs one organization at a time and the research looks at the motivators as to why individuals part take in a profit less sector. The research focuses on nonprofits within Maricopa County offering human services. A combination of qualitative methods were used to guide the research. Interviews with nonprofits founders was the main form of data collection. The findings revealed self-efficacy, spirituality, and personal relations played a pivotal role as motivators for the participants. The findings also illuminated the role class, gender, and race play in the structural arrangement and opportunities to engage in adopting a nonprofit organization