Understanding the keys to a thriving nonprofit is crucial—not only for academic insight but for building stronger, more connected communities. At Indiana University’s O’Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs, students are diving into this challenge by engaging directly with nonprofits in the heart of Bloomington.   

Supported by AmeriCorps, the Observing Civic Engagement (OCE) project offers students high-impact learning experiences, connects them with the broader Bloomington community, and enables them to publish award-winning research. This research, led by professors Matt Baggetta and Brad Fulton, focuses on observing civil society organizations (CSOs)—the many volunteer-driven groups that support our community in unique ways. This project is more than just data collection; it’s a chance for students to connect with local people, understand what makes community spaces flourish, and help shape the future of these essential organizations. 

Connecting with the Bloomington community 

Students in the project take on the role of keen observers, attending meetings, events, and activities that bring the Bloomington community together. Using a method called Systematic Social Observation (SSO), they capture what happens inside CSOs. They observe how people interact, how meetings unfold, and the dynamics at play. This approach allows them to gain firsthand insights into how Bloomington’s nonprofits operate and what makes the successful, active nonprofits thrive. 

For research assistant Eva Guzmán, BS’27, it’s a chance to see how people in a community come together, united by a shared purpose. 

“Being an observer has made me happy to note that people are still doing good in the world. In these observations they are all strangers who ultimately come to find a family within these civil societies,” Guzmán said. 

What is Systematic Social Observation? 

Systematic Social Observation allows students to get an in-depth view of how local groups operate. The project is particularly interested in four organizational dynamics: interaction among participants, the exercise of leadership, the ways groups deliberate and make decisions, and the way physical environments influence activity.  

Using tablets, student researchers record data on everything from attendance to interaction styles, documenting what happens at more than 500 events across 26 CSOs. These observations aren’t just about counting heads—they’re about delving into the dynamics that drive the success of community organizations.  

Research assistant Drew Yeager, BSPA’26, has gained valuable insights through his observations of these community organizations. 

“Community organizations all have a different approach but one focus–people first,” Yeager said. 

Attending meetings gives student researchers a unique opportunity to observe what makes some events buzz with energy while others are less dynamic. Their research helps pinpoint the factors that either enhance or hinder an organization’s engagement and success.  

Why this matters 

CSOs play a crucial role in creating spaces where people can come together, build connections, and address local needs. However, many of these groups struggle to meet their goals due to declining membership and participation. By providing a clearer understanding of how these organizations function and what makes their events successful, the project aims to improve the effectiveness of CSOs in Bloomington and beyond. 

“Our project could help these organizations retain and expand their work for generations to come. NGOs have been losing membership and engagement for decades; this is a big problem for our world,” Yeager said. 

 Yeager recognizes that the challenges facing these groups are not unique to Bloomington. The insights gathered here have the potential to strengthen nonprofits in other communities, too, providing tools to adapt and grow in a changing world. 

A real-world learning experience 

This research opportunity offers more than a chance to earn course credit or fulfill an internship requirement. It allows students to see the impact of their work on real people and meaningful organizations. For students like Guzmán, this has been a transformative experience. 

“It has brought a sense of clarity about what I hope to do later down the road. I hope to become a physician-scientist, and I ultimately want to create a non-profit establishment within poor underserved Hispanic communities. Being in OCE, I can note which attributes are best suited for this civil society,” Guzmán said. 

The OCE project aligns with the broader mission of the O’Neill School, which is to lead for the greater good. The students make a difference by applying their academic knowledge to community service and policies. Through getting involved directly with Bloomington’s CSOs, students gain skills that extend far beyond the classroom, from research and critical thinking to the ability to understand and support grassroots efforts. They develop a special appreciation for what goes on behind the scenes of successful community organizations.  

The O’Neill School’s research project with local CSOs is more than just a study—it’s a way for students to witness the power of community in action and learn how to sustain it. As students learn from local groups, they also contribute to the success of these organizations, helping them understand what works and where they can improve. By documenting the factors that make these organizations thrive, students are providing a guide for building stronger, more resilient communities in Bloomington and beyond. 

This approach to measuring what happens in CSOs will provide insight into how organizations can conduct their activities in ways that lead to greater civic engagement, endurance, and ultimately, greater success for the organization. By identifying what drives effective community involvement, the project aims to help these groups create more meaningful and lasting impacts.