Accountability in Non-Profit Organisations: A Multidimensional Balancing Act
Author: Dr. Anna Neya Kazanskaia
Publisher: NEYA Global Publishing
Article | NEYA Global Journal of Non-Profit Studies
Year: 2025
ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0009-5669-1676
DOI: https://doi.org/10.64357/neya-gjnps-acbldtrthrtrns-09
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About the Article
Accountability in non-profit organisations represents a multidimensional balancing act between control and trust, compliance and ethics, oversight and learning. Synthesising insights from theoretical, empirical, and comparative perspectives, this article reframes accountability as a reflexive process that unites procedural, relational, and ethical dimensions. It argues that accountability should not be reduced to donor reporting or regulatory compliance but viewed as an evolving practice that builds legitimacy, trust, and learning across stakeholders. Persistent challenges—such as donor dominance, administrative burdens, digital divides, and cultural diversity—highlight the need for hybrid, context-sensitive frameworks that integrate financial, participatory, and digital mechanisms. Designed equitably, accountability can transform from a constraint into a strategic resource that reinforces legitimacy, strengthens governance, and fosters ethical empowerment in the global non-profit sector.
Key Topics
- Multidimensional frameworks of accountability
- Balancing compliance, ethics, and participation
- Trust, legitimacy, and relational governance
- Administrative burdens and resource constraints
- Digital transformation and ethical innovation
- Hybrid and culturally embedded accountability models
Suggested Citation
Kazanskaia, A. N. (2025). Accountability in Non-Profit Organisations: A Multidimensional Balancing Act. NEYA Global Journal of Non-Profit Studies. NEYA Global Publishing. https://doi.org/10.64357/neya-gjnps-acbldtrthrtrns-09
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