A history of ARNOVA

Abstract

ARNOVA was founded in 1971 by David Horten Smith with the help of some others, particularly Burt R. Baldwin, Richard D. Ready, and Eugene D. White, Jr. Financial resources were supplied by the Center for a Voluntary Society of Washington, DC, under the leadership first of James Shultz and later John Dixon. Incorporated as a 501(c)(3) in DC from the start, initially named Association of Voluntary Action Scholars, the organization operated very informally for the first 5 years. From 1977 to 1994, there was a more formal volunteer leadership period and then a paid executive director period beginning in 1994. The name was changed to ARNOVA in 1991. The Journal of Voluntary Action Research began publication in 1972, changing its name in 1989 to Nonprofit and Voluntary Sector Quarterly. Other publications arose over the years. Annual conferences began in 1974. An ARNOVA-L Listserv was begun in 1991 and a CGAP-L Listserv in 1999. An awards program was begun in 1993. Two formal ARNOVA sections, one on teaching and one on community and grassroots associations, have been in existence since 1999. The association prospers with a variety of foundation grants and member revenues. There were more than 1,000 members at year-end 2000 from 34 nations and two U.S. territories.