The Association for Research on Nonprofit Organizations and Voluntary Action (ARNOVA) is a diverse community of scholars, educators, and practice leaders that strengthens the field of nonprofit and philanthropic research to improve civil society and human life.

ARNOVA members live and work throughout the U.S. and around the world. At conferences, webinars, and via the written word (journal articles, blog posts, etc.) they strive to share thought-provoking research and engage in lively discussions about voluntary action, nonprofit organizations, and philanthropy. They are passionate about the nonprofit sector and highly supportive of any work designed to make the world a better place.

ARNOVA believes that a well-functioning civil society provides opportunities for all individuals to be free to be who they are in their homes, at their schools, at their workplaces, in their communities, and throughout their day-to-day lives.

Our 2023 Annual Conference is planned for Orlando, Florida, and ARNOVA is aware that multiple civil rights organizations representing marginalized groups (including racial minorities, immigrants, women, and the LGBTQ community) have issued travel advisories for the state of Florida because of recently enacted laws that affect these groups and necessarily then affect our members as well.

Similarly, ARNOVA is extremely dismayed by and condemns the recent passage of several laws in the State of Florida that target the rights and well-being of specific groups. ARNOVA’s mission and Code of Ethics affirm diversity as a value and an asset, requires members to treat others with equity, fairness, and respect, and strives to ensure a welcoming and safe space.

Florida is considering or has passed legislation that harms people of color, immigrant and indigenous groups, and the LGBTQ community, restricts access to reproductive health care, and weakens our right to freedom of speech, expression, and assembly and, by necessity, harms members of ARNOVA.  The nonprofit sector works in communities that have traditionally been marginalized, disenfranchised and under-represented due to historical patterns of bias, discrimination, and oppression and this legislation intensifies harm to these historically minoritized groups.

ARNOVA also condemns the passing of policies that negatively impact academic freedom, that erase or misrepresent Black and other historically minoritized histories and that prevent Florida nonprofit scholars and educators from engaging in critical discussions about the real needs of communities and organizations served by the sector.

ARNOVA affirms our commitment to advocate for a just civil society where policies, laws, and programs affirm, support, and value ALL individuals, families, and communities and support their right to speak, play, study, research, and work as they choose.  We look forward to connecting with nonprofit scholars, practitioners, and funders in central Florida who tirelessly work to support ALL members of their communities.

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