High stakes: U.S. nonprofit organizations and the U.S. standing abroad

This research sought to explain the agency of U.S.-based nonprofit nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) in the U.S. standing abroad, and explore the NGO role in the U.S. public diplomacy. A multiple-case study method was used to look at five 501(c)(3) organizations that receive predominantly private funding and operate globally. The data gathered from in-person interviews and corporate documentation were compared between cases, and synthesized across cases using the theory-building technique. While U.S. standing affects American NGOs’ practices and discourses, American NGOs’ behavior might have a bearing on the attitudes, perceptions, and opinions of international publics about the United States. Both the NGO-owned state identities and American NGOs’ reputation for autonomy and freedom of expression enhance the U.S. public diplomacy efforts.

► Used a multiple-case study method to look at five 501(c)(3) organizations (NGOs). ► Synthesized the data across cases using the theory-building technique. ► NGOs own U.S. state identity and reputation just as U.S. Government agencies or businesses do. ► U.S. standing affects American NGOs’ practices and discourses, whereas American NGOs’ behavior affects the perceptions, attitudes and opinions of international publics about the United States. ► American NGOs’ reputation for autonomy and freedom of expression enhances the U.S. public diplomacy efforts.