A case study of the changing nature of a non-government organisation: a focus on disability and development.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this article is to describe the changing nature, process and structure of an international non-governmental organisation (NGO) in response to internal and external factors.


METHODS
This article is based on the interview data collected for the study which focussed on the experiences and perception of key informants on trends related to official development assistance, local governments' perspective of the NGO as a development partner and the NGO's perception of corporate and foundation support. Qualitative descriptive data analysis was used.


RESULTS
Three main themes were developed with the interview data. Our analysis indicated shifts in the: (1) vision/nature (single to cross disability focus), (2) structure (building internal and external relationships) and (3) process (from ad hoc to systemic evaluations).


CONCLUSIONS
These broader issues of vision, structure (relationships) and evaluation within and outside of the organisation, needs to be addressed to provide a foundation upon which funding initiatives can be developed. A closer relationship between funders and projects/programmes would do much to enhance the partnership and would ensure that the projects are able to measure and report results in a manner that is conducive to increasing support.
Department of Physical Therapy, Graduate Department of Rehabilitation Science, International Centre for Disability and Rehabilitation, University of Toronto, Ontario, Canada. karen.yoshida@utoronto.ca
Karen K
KK
Yoshida
Penny
P
Parnes
Dina
D
Brooks
Deb
D
Cameron
D006233:Persons with Disabilities; D017598:Efficiency, Organizational; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006801:Humans; D007391:International Cooperation; D009938:Organizations / Q000458:organization & administration*