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Situating the Nonprofit Industrial Complex

Author

Listed:
  • Tyson Singh Kelsall

    (Faculty of Health Sciences, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC V5A 1S6, Canada)

  • Jake Seaby Palmour

    (School of Social Work, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z2, Canada)

  • Rory Marck

    (Community Scholars Program, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC V5A 1S6, Canada)

  • A. J. Withers

    (Department of Gender, Sexuality, and Women’s Studies, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC V5A 1S6, Canada)

  • Nicole Luongo

    (Independent Researcher, Vancouver, BC V6B 5K3, Canada)

  • Kahlied Salem

    (Independent Researcher, Vancouver, BC V6A 1H4, Canada)

  • Cassie Sutherland

    (Independent Researcher, Vancouver, BC V6A 1H4, Canada)

  • Jasmine Veark

    (Independent Researcher, Vancouver, BC V6B 0R1, Canada)

  • Lyana Patrick

    (Faculty of Health Sciences, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC V5A 1S6, Canada)

  • Aaron Bailey

    (Eastside Illicit Drinkers Group for Education, Vancouver Area Network of Drug Users, Vancouver, BC V6A 1P4, Canada)

  • Jade Boyd

    (Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V5Z 1M9, Canada)

  • Q. Lawrence

    (Independent Researcher, Vancouver, BC V6A 1H4, Canada)

  • Mathew Fleury

    (Faculty of Health Sciences, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC V5A 1S6, Canada)

  • Alya Govorchin

    (Faculty of Health Sciences, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC V5A 1S6, Canada)

  • Nathan Crompton

    (Vancouver Area Network of Drug Users, Vancouver, BC V6A 1P4, Canada)

  • Chris Vance

    (Political Science Graduate Program, York University, Toronto, ON M3J 1P3, Canada)

  • Blake Edwards

    (Independent Researcher, Vancouver, BC V6A 1H4, Canada)

  • Anmol Swaich

    (Faculty of Health Sciences, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC V5A 1S6, Canada)

  • Amber Kelsall

    (School of Nursing, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6C 1S4, Canada)

  • Meenakshi Mannoe

    (Pivot Legal Society, Vancouver, BC V6A 3E9, Canada
    Vancouver Prison Justice Day Committee, Vancouver, BC V5N 5W1, Canada
    Defund 604 Network, Vancouver, BC V5Y 1L7, Canada)

  • Portia Larlee

    (Independent Researcher, BT7 3GZ Belfast, Ireland)

  • Jenn McDermid

    (Interdisciplinary Studies Program, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z1, Canada)

Abstract

This article centers on the nonprofit landscape in Vancouver, Canada, a city that occupies the territories of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) nations, which have never been ceded to the colonial occupation of Canada. Vancouver has a competitive nonprofit field, with an estimated 1600+ nonprofits operating within city limits. This descriptive review starts by defining what a nonprofit industrial complex (NPIC) is, then outlines an abbreviated history of the nonprofit sector on the aforementioned lands. The article then explores issues related to colonialism, anti-poor legislation, neoliberal governance, the fusing of the public and private sectors, and the bureaucratization of social movements and care work as mechanisms to uphold the status quo social order and organization of power. Focusing on under-examined issues related to the business imperatives of nonprofit organizations in the sectors of housing, health and social services, community policing, and research, this work challenges the positive default framing of nonprofits and charities. Instead, we contend that Vancouver’s NPIC allows the government and the wealthy to shirk responsibility for deepening health and social inequities, while shaping nonprofits’ revenue-generating objectives and weakening their accountability to the community.

Suggested Citation

  • Tyson Singh Kelsall & Jake Seaby Palmour & Rory Marck & A. J. Withers & Nicole Luongo & Kahlied Salem & Cassie Sutherland & Jasmine Veark & Lyana Patrick & Aaron Bailey & Jade Boyd & Q. Lawrence & Mat, 2023. "Situating the Nonprofit Industrial Complex," Social Sciences, MDPI, vol. 12(10), pages 1-24, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jscscx:v:12:y:2023:i:10:p:549-:d:1251499
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Benoit, Cecilia & Carroll, Dena & Chaudhry, Munaza, 2003. "In search of a Healing Place: Aboriginal women in Vancouver's Downtown Eastside," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 56(4), pages 821-833, February.
    2. Green, David & Kesselman, Jonathan Rhys & Tedds, Lindsay M., 2021. "Covering All the Basics: Reforms for a More Just Society," MPRA Paper 105902, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    3. H. A. Logan, 1928. "Rise and Decline of the One Big Union in Canada," Journal of Political Economy, University of Chicago Press, vol. 36(2), pages 240-240.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

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