Research Centers
Center for High Impact Philanthropy
The Center for High Impact Philanthropy (CHIP) seeks to define the efficient frontier of philanthropy, where nonprofit financing is linked to potential for impact. Our goal is to develop the information, tools, and metrics to enable philanthropists to make smart social investments. Our vision is one where philanthropists understand what impact they can reasonably expect for each incremental charitable dollar and where evidence and facts inform the allocation of charitable gifts. (www.impact.upenn.edu)
Field Center for Children's Policy, Practice & Research
The Field Center for Children’s Policy, Practice & Research, an interdisciplinary center integrating the work of Penn’s Schools of Social Policy & Practice, Law, and Medicine, and the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, is guided by some of the nation’s leading experts in the field, whose mission is to provide critical reform to the child welfare system on behalf of victims of child abuse and neglect. The only university-based center of its kind, the Field Center’s faculty, staff and students collaborate on cutting edge policy, research and practice initiatives. (www.fieldcenteratpenn.org)
The Evelyn Jacobs Ortner Center on Family Violence
The Evelyn Jacobs Ortner Center serves as a vital resource for policy makers, agency directors, line staff, researchers, and educators as they search for ways to reduce domestic violence. The Center focuses on protecting the rights, safety, and well-being of victims of abuse and neglect in all of its many forms. Interdisciplinary collaboration across Penn's campus is a cornerstone of this unique Center.
Website: www.sp2.upenn.edu/ortner
Email: ortner@lists.upenn.edu
The Out-of-School Time Resource Center (OSTRC)
The Out-of-School Time Resource Center promotes youth achievement through staff support and professional development. With a focus on out-of-school time (OST) programs, we:
Identify and coordinate resources. We produce a monthly newsletter and four resource directories, maintain a website and helpline, and host regular Peer Networking Meetings. In addition, we foster inter-program communication and integrate resources from other professions.
Conduct research and evaluation. We conduct literature reviews and empirical research to identify promising practices in professional development. We also use surveys, focus groups, interviews, and observations to measure professional development outcomes.
Recommend changes in practice and policy. Through brokering, consulting, research, and publications, we inform and advocate for high-quality professional development.
Program for Religion and Social Policy Research
The Program for Religion and Social Policy Practice is a research, education, and policy program dedicated to understanding the nexus between organized religion and the provision of social services. We aim to 1) contribute new knowledge on the scope, nature, and practice methods of religious-based social services, 2) develop methods for studying congregations and religious-based organizations, and 3) equip future cadre of social service practitioners and researchers in the integration of social work and religion. (www.sp2.upenn.edu/prspr)