About the Nancy Bell Evans Center

The Nancy Bell Evans Center on Nonprofits & Philanthropy was established in 2004 and is named after Nancy Bell Evans, who has served as a leader in the public and nonprofit sectors for more than 30 years.

The center is directed by the Evans School Nancy Bell Evans Professor of Public Affairs, Steven Rathgeb Smith, and works to enhance the understanding and vitality of nonprofits and philanthropy through:

• Research: We conduct and support theoretical and applied research of local, national, and international importance to nonprofit and philanthropic scholars, policy-makers, and practitioners. Efforts focus primarily on research that examines the changing service and policy roles of nonprofit and philanthropic institutions.  Research is disseminated through our education and community engagement activities.

• Education: We serve as an incubator of research-based nonprofit and philanthropic education at the University of Washington, identifying, developing, and supporting advanced learning opportunities for graduate students and executive-level professionals in the Pacific Northwest.

• Community Engagement: We convene and connect members of the academic, nonprofit, and philanthropic communities to stimulate thinking on current issues, share research and best practices, and promote increased dialogue and collaboration.

Find out more about our research, education opportunities, nonprofit and philanthropic resources, and how your can support our mission by contacting us at 206.221.4629 or nbec@u.washington.edu.