Sector Foundations

Before beginning my graduate studies, I had a very loose understanding of how the nonprofit sector emerged and subsequently developed into what it is today. However, through various lectures and assignments, including the artifact on this page, I can identify how the foundations of voluntary action and philanthropy paved the way for a robust sector that often intersects with corporate and governmental activities.

The artifact I chose is a section of an investigative briefing I compiled about a current intergovernmental program. The US Department of Homeland Security has an ongoing Blue Campaign, a public awareness initiative designed to educate the public about human trafficking, which includes collaborations with various NGOs and law enforcement agencies. This artifact details the theoretical and legal justification for the creation of this program, including historical context for the government's partnership with nonprofit organizations when combatting human trafficking, a key example of the importance of NGOs in implementing public policy initiatives. In writing this briefing, I learned how to conduct policy research and critically consider the 'why' behind government programs that emphasize cross-sector partnership, especially when it comes to issues of public safety.