The Role of Intangible Assets in Decision Making by Funders of Community-based Nonprofit Organizations

Intangible assets are very important and valuable elements of any organization. However, intangible assets are not measured by funders and are not specified by community-based nonprofit organizations. Nonprofits’ inability to asses and measure intangible assets impedes a funder’s ability to serve and impacts their decision making. Identification of intangible assets supports answering important questions about what a nonprofit brings to the table and can associate it with the value of the organization. Additionally, identification of intangible assets helps to demystify some of the considerations funders examine during the decision-making process.

The purpose of this dissertation research was to define what intangible assets are and their value; explore the importance of identifying intangible assets for nonprofits as they relate to applying for funding; and examine what funders are doing about understanding and assessing intangible assets. The research question was: What are the perceptions of intangible assets of people in agencies that fund nonprofit organizations in Minnesota? An interpretive multiple case study explored the perspective of the interview participants and their knowledge of intangible assets. The findings indicate that if funders began to recognize and measure intangible assets, they would be able to make more sound decisions about which organizations they choose to fund. Additionally, it would add value to community-based nonprofit organizations to be able to identify their intangible assets and include them in funding applications.