1
InterFaith Non-Profit Survey Results Report
by Annette Buchanan-Phillips, MA, PhD.
May 17, 2008
Objective: To determine the opinions and willingness, of the Cleveland area’s religious community; to participate in an inter-religious social services affiliation with, and knowledge of the Agency known as; “InterAct Cleveland.”
Sample: Random selection from the SBC Yellow Pages Directory of listings of “Religious Organizations & Churches.” (2001/2002) Cleveland, Ohio and surrounding Communities, with a total of 50 samples mailed, and 27 respondents.
Findings: Of the 50 surveys mailed to Cleveland, Ohio area Religious Institutions sampled, 54% responded. Which is a phenomenal response rate.
NON-PROFIT SURVEY
(Data Collected)
Dear Sir/Mam;
I would greatly appreciate your participation in this survey. I am a Graduate student at John Carroll University. The survey should take only 5 minutes of your time. As a token of my appreciation, please accept a $1 donation to your organization. Thank you, Annette Phillips.
1. There is a need for social services in Cleveland.
2. Social Services should be left to the government.
3. Religious organizations should help those in need.
4. People of different religions can work together.
5. Different social service agencies should work together.
6. I have heard of InterAct Cleveland.
7. Hunger centers are needed in Cleveland.
8. Low cost housing is needed.
9. I would volunteer at a good organiztion.
10. I have heard of East Side InterFaith Ministries.
11. Are you male or female?
12. What religion are you?
13. Rank services in order of importance with 1 as the most important.
*Point Values are assigned to rank order categories as follows: 6= most important to 1= least important.
Motivation
Graduate course work in the area of a Communications Management Major, while in the pursuit of a Masters of Arts Degree at John Carroll University in University Heights, Ohio. The assignment was to create a Public Relations Campaign for a Non-Profit Agency in our area, and interest.
Survey Parameters , Scope & Focus
I posed the questions for the survey according to my data requirements and used a Likert and rank order survey style and created a representative rank order value scale.
I funded the study myself from my FAFSA Tuition Loan Refund, including supplies, postage and contributions to queried religious organizations. There was no IRB Support, Affiliation, or Authorization.
This survey was random from the Yellow Pages listings, but biased to be inclusive of a cross section of religious denominations, sects, and classifications. I hoped to sample from the 7 major world religions and others, as listed in and around the Cleveland area; circa, 2001/2002.
I chose: “InterAct Cleveland,” as my non-profit Social Service Agency for my PR Campaign. They graciously accepted these services from me in the course of my Public Relations Campaign efforts on their behalf:
1. A telephone survey of their questions that I did for at least 4-5 hours of my time. I included dispositions of no response calls to decision makers and report
ed all data collected.
2. I provided a blank copy of my survey sample.
3. I donated the Poster, stationery, and brochure efforts that I created for them from
My photo of Coulby Park Foot bridge in Willoughby Hills, Ohio.
InterAct Cleveland provided no money, materials or support for this survey, or for me personally. All work was completely voluntary.
InterAct Cleveland: 1688 Fulton Road: Cleveland, Ohio, 44113 1(216) 241-0230
email: srdonna@interactcleveland.org
****NOTE*****
My thanks to All who chose to participate in this survey, and acknowledge that four respondents sent back the $1 donation to participating organizations. (Which I was surprised and thankful for, one hungry day!)
Most responses were positive, however, one respondent returned the donation with the suggestion that I use it toward my education, so that I might learn to create a better survey. I thank that respondent as well for their suggestion and help.
Findings: Values, Data, & Conclusions
Although most respondents had not heard of , “InterAct Cleveland,” the consensus was overwhelming, (92.5%), that Social Services Agencies should work together.
The same percentage (92.5%) agreed that religious organizations should help those in need.
77.7% responded that people of different religions, “CAN” work together.
70% expressed that Social Services should “NOT” be left up to government.
77.7% felt that there is an equal need for “Hunger Centers” and “Low Cost Housing.”
**The Values of the rank-order categories with 6 points= most important to 1 point = least important; established the following order of respondent concerns:
In descending order: 1.Hunger Centers; were most important to area respondents
2. Housing
3. Welfare to work aid
4. Counseling
5. After school tutoring
6. Thrift stores; were least important to respondents
Demographics of Survey Respondents
Males=19
Females=6
Declined to answer=1
Religious Categories responding=17
Representation:
Apostolic=1
B’Hai=1
Baptist=3
Buddhist=1
Catholic=1
Christian (Messianic)=1
Christian (Pentacostal)=1
Christian (Protestant)=1
E L C A=1
Hindu=1
InterFaith=1
Jewish=1
Mennonite=1
Messianic (Jewish)=1
Nazarene=1
Non-Denominational=1
Presbyterian=1
|