Civance Research is a nonprofit organization that aims to advance civic engagement through research to strengthen nonprofit organizations, foundations, and other philanthropic institutions.
Tania Hernandez, Ph.D.
Independent Sector recently welcomed Civance Research as a member and talked with Executive Director Tania Hernandez, Ph.D.
IS: What motivated your career in the nonprofit sector?
TH: After ten years as a researcher specializing in organizational behavior in nonprofit organizations in Mexico and the United States, I became interested in a career in the nonprofit sector. Originally, I was interested in pursuing a scholarly career at a research-intensive university, but something was not quite right. I wanted to use academic research to solve nonprofit organizations’ pressing problems and challenges. I knew that an academic track emphasizing publications would limit my capacity to understand the sector’s challenges and connect with professionals. Then, I declined a post-doctoral opportunity and ventured into the nonprofit sector as a researcher specializing in financial ratios for an organization in the open science space.
Finally, in January 2024, I became the Executive Director of Civance Research where I have the pleasure of working alongside a highly specialized team of researchers and professionals in the nonprofit sector.
IS: Is there a special person or event that inspired you to be a changemaker?
Professor Mark Hager
TH: Professor Mark Hager, the founder and associate at Civance Research, has inspired me in this journey. He is an emeritus professor at Arizona State University with over 20 years of research experience in nonprofit and volunteer management. His research practice has been inspiring because he truly aims to provide practical and helpful insights and guidelines to improve the capacities of community organizations. He does this by connecting with leaders and administrators, understanding their needs, and offering tailored solutions.
IS: Tell us about the people and community your organization serves.
TH: We serve two distinct groups. We focus on individuals and communities that engage or aim to engage civically in community organizations. Based on rigorous research, we offer guidelines and recommendations to community organization leaders and volunteer administrators to foster welcoming spaces for all individuals who aim to engage and participate in civic life.
We also strengthen the capacity of community organizations, foundations, and other philanthropic institutions so they can make an impact serving their communities of interest. We do this through organizational assessments with inclusive and equitable perspectives, which help to identify the areas organizations need to work in to improve their organizations and their capacity to serve diverse audiences.
IS: How does your organization’s work help to advance a healthy, trusted, and equitable nation?
TH: Civance Research’s motto is civic advance. This means we aim to advance civic engagement through a perspective of diversity, equity, and inclusion in which all individuals and communities feel welcomed and valued when participating in civic life.
IS: Describe a moment that affirmed your organization is making a difference in your community.
TH: While we are still a new organization — with five months of activities — we truly believe we are making a difference in how civic engagement research is conducted. Our model is based on deep connections and collaborations with leaders of community organizations, which have facilitated our understanding of their needs and allowed us to offer research products as solutions.
IS: What would you like people to know about your organization that might surprise them?
TH: We grew from two people to seven team members in only four months. Our team consists of professionals and researchers in nonprofit and volunteer management who are passionate about providing practical and actionable recommendations for volunteer administrators and leaders of community organizations.
IS: How has your work changed in the wake of COVID-19, economic uncertainty, climate change, and the fight for racial justice?
TH: The COVID-19 pandemic brought uncertainty to many community organizations, creating financial setbacks and stress among staff, especially in health and human service nonprofit subsectors. We promote a way to restrengthen community organizations with an emphasis on inclusion and equity practices. Our thinking is that by strengthening the organization and its inclusion and equity practices, community organizations will be in a better position to address emerging challenges of their communities of interest.
IS: What influenced your decision to become an Independent Sector member? How can collaborating with the Independent Sector community help you better achieve your mission?
TH: We aim to connect with organizations that strengthen the civic space by supporting community organizations. Independent Sector brings together nonprofits, foundations, and social leaders who support this space. We are excited about the opportunity to know more about the work of Independent Sector members and excited about collaboration opportunities.
We seek collaborations and partnerships with organizations that promote civic engagement and participation. Our membership with Independent Sector will help us identify collaborators and partners who can help us better achieve our mission. We are also deeply interested in the webinars and other networking opportunities that will allow us to develop connections and stay up to date with the work of other organizations like ours.
Learn about other Independent Sector members and becoming a member.
Lindsay Marcal is Manager, Membership at Independent Sector.
