Nonprofit Organizations Research Articles

Mapping a food donation supply chain and the implications for social policies in Brazil

PurposeThe coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic raised global alarms about hunger and food insecurity worldwide and the corresponding need for public policies, particularly in emerging countries. One possible solution for addressing this important topic is a food donation supply chain, which comprises food banks and involves their relationships with suppliers (donors), customers (people in need) and other potential stakeholders. The aim of this research is to understand how different agents in a food donation supply chain use different but interrelated capital dimensions (human, structural and relational) to leverage their resources and build knowledge in their relationships with other stakeholders.Design/methodology/approachWe conducted an abductive single case study with the food bank as a focal organisation in a direct supply chain. Data were collected by way of 15 semi-structured interviews with representatives from each tier in the chain (food bank, donor, social impact company and social movement), non-participant observation and secondary data (e.g. codes of practice, websites and media). All data sources were analysed individually and then cross-checked.FindingsOur findings show that tangible dimensions, such as those that are structural, are present upstream while intangible dimensions – those that are relational and human, for example – are prevalent downstream. The political dimension was identified as an important mechanism that allows stakeholder engagement and access to resources, funding and government incentives.Originality/valueBy applying a multi-tier approach, the present research explores how different stages in this supply chain use intellectual capital (IC) to better manage relationships. The heterogeneity of agents within the food donation supply chain (public, private and third sector), each of which has distinct levels of IC dimensions, can share their knowledge to improve efficiency and social protection mechanism policies. Since the focal organisation is a non-profit organisation, this study also contributes to IC theory.

Characteristics of interventions that address racism in the United States and opportunities to integrate equity principles: a scoping review

BackgroundAs a driver of racial and health inequities, racism is deeply ingrained in the interconnected systems that affect health and well-being. Currently, no common frame is employed across researchers, interventionists, and funders to design, implement, and evaluate comprehensive interventions to address racism. Consequently, there is a need to examine the characteristics of interventions implemented in the United States that address racism across social and structural determinants of health and socio-ecological levels. Additionally, we utilized a Health Equity Action Research (HEART) framework to assess how interventions integrate equity principles.MethodsThis scoping review examined the characteristics of multi-level interventions that addressed racism and appraised the interventions using a Health Equity Action Research frame. A comprehensive search strategy was conducted across nine electronic databases between 24 October 2022 through 15 November 2022. Records were included if they were available in English, discussed or evaluated a multi-level intervention or program conducted in the United States, and discussed or evaluated the intervention or program regarding the health and well-being of racialized and ethnically minoritized groups.ResultsA total of 13,391 records were identified, of which 91 met the eligibility criteria and were included in the analysis. Most records reported the racialized group impacted by an intervention, of which the majority were racialized as African American or Black (n = 42) and Hispanic or Latino/a/x (n = 18). Eighty-one (89%) of interventions reported health outcomes and concentrated on the individual level. Most funders reported across the records, and 86 (51%) were a federal agency or department. A further 43 (25%) were private foundations, 12 (7%) were nonprofit organizations, 10 (6%) were private universities, and 4 (2%) were public universities. Regarding alignment with the HEART framework, 14% of interventions reported a mixed-methods approach, 45% reported community engagement, and less than 1% reported researcher self-reflection.ConclusionsMost interventions prioritized people who are racialized as Black and report health outcomes. Since intervention designs, objectives, and methodological approaches vary, no standard frame defines racism and health equity. Applying the HEART framework offers a standard approach for interventionists and researchers to examine power, integrate community voice, and self-reflect to advance health equity.

Nexus between innovation and sustainable economic development: A bibliometrics analysis

This article using thematic and content analysis investigated the contribution of innovation in achieving sustainable economic development. The objective of the bibliometric research was to assess the literature on this subject it identified research trends, ideas, and authors who contributed to this area so that future research and policy directions could be suggested. The data was derived from the Scopus database and was extracted between January 2020 and February 2024 by applying inclusion and exclusion criteria. The Scopus database search yielded 66 articles, published between 2020 and February 2024. Scopus analytics and Microsoft Excel were used for descriptive analysis and VOS Viewer software was used for network visualization of keywords. The descriptive analysis showed the trajectory of research, the prolific authors, their publication outlets, authors affiliation, and county of origin of the documents. The prolific visualization showed five clusters: red, green, blue, purple, and yellow. The main clusters are economic development, alternative energy, sustainable development, and innovation. This research showed where consideration should be given to drive sustainability and sustainable economic development. This research outcome will assist government agencies, corporations, and non-profit organizations in planning appropriate action and policies to support innovative and renewable energy initiatives so that participation in those fields could enhance the opportunity to achieve sustainable economic development.

Ideal Workers, Supporting Actors, or Thrill Seekers? How Coworker Demands Influence Ambulance Volunteers’ Experiences of Freedom and Meaningful Work

AbstractFor nonprofit organizations (NPOs) struggling to attract adequate numbers of volunteers, examining what makes nonprofit engagement meaningful is essential because disenchanted volunteers can simply quit. Yet, the assumption that freedom is a core aspect of the volunteer experience and of meaningful work may not hold true in high-stakes environments where volunteers must demonstrate high levels of commitment and expertise. This study aims to analyze how freedom plays out in high-stakes volunteering and its impact on meaningful work. Drawing on interviews with volunteer and paid ambulance crew working in nine stations in Aotearoa New Zealand, the study explores how “super-volunteers” talk about freedom in the context of their on-road work and how coworkers communicatively attempt to influence volunteers’ freedom. Three volunteer profiles emerged from the analysis: ideal workers, supporting actors, and thrill seekers. Most paid staff encouraged ideal workers to strive for self-realization, a form of positive freedom in work, which led to optimal clinical performance. Supporting actors privileged self-determination or positive freedom at work, although coworkers successfully pushed them to contribute to basic emergency work. Because thrill seekers demanded freedom from boring or dirty jobs, appeals to teamwork failed to sway them. The study makes two key contributions. First, the diversity of freedoms volunteers evoked and resisted underscores the importance of nuancing the assertion that volunteering is a “free” act. Second, although the meaningful work literature is drifting in the pro-freedom direction, it shows that the freedoms enacted by volunteers or promoted by coworkers were arguably “mistaken”—for volunteers, patients, and the NPO itself.

The Lookout Project: A Student-Run Mail-Based Overdose Response Kit Distribution Program Through Social Media During COVID-19.

Naloxone distribution and overdose education are key preventive strategies to reduce opioid overdose deaths. This paper describes the development and evaluation of The Lookout Project (TLP), a 501(c)(3) organization led by college students and based in Ann Arbor, Michigan. This research aimed to examine the outreach of TLP with hopes of creating a reproducible mail-based kit distribution program for college student-run organizations to replicate. TLP used a targeted social media advertising campaign to ask participants 7 multiple-choice questions concerning their demographics, previous incarcerations, experiences with intranasal naloxone (IN), and if they had watched the optional informational video in the opioid overdose response kit (OORK) order form. TLP's team distributed over 900 OORKs from August 3, 2020, to January 4, 2022, first by word of mouth and then through social media advertising that began on February 13, 2021. Of the 657 respondents who agreed to participate in research, the majority identified as white (76.0%, n = 400), did not identify with any specified ethnicity group (60.2%, n = 318), were female (60.8%, n = 356), were between the ages of 18 and 22 (35.4%, n = 209), had not been previously incarcerated (95.6%, n = 564), and did watch the hyperlinked video detailing how to respond to an overdose (74.7%, n = 438). Additionally, several kit recipients (2.8%, n = 19) responded to a follow-up survey. Of those, 7 people reported using the IN provided by TLP to reverse an overdose (36.8%, n = 7). TLP, a nonprofit organization founded by college students, shows potential for informing other student-run organizations about naloxone distribution programs using social media advertising.

Does Rigorous Government Regulation on Nonprofits Improve Their Outputs? Evidence from China

Abstract This study mainly takes China as an example to explore the logic between government regulation and outputs of nonprofit organizations in the context of authoritarian countries. Based on the theory of embeddedness and organizational legitimacy, using the panel data of 29 mainland provinces from 2010 to 2019, and applying the fixed effect model, it is found that government regulation has a positive effect on outputs of non-profit organizations. However, it is also found that there exists a single threshold, only government regulation intensity keeps in a certain range, the positive effect is made. Further research finds that government regulation positively impacts nonprofit outputs through encouraging social donations. Our findings fill the gap of exploring the logic between government regulation and nonprofits outputs, giving some enlightenment to regulators of similar regimes countries. We also have improved the current government regulation theory based on legitimacy and embeddedness theory empirically, extended and enriched embeddedness theory.

Battle of the E-cowarriors: Differential effects of environmental appeals by influencers and organizations on youth's pro-environmental attitudes and behavior intentions

Environmental social media influencers (SMIs)—or ‘greenfluencers’—nowadays receive considerable scholarly and public attention. Yet, SMIs' persuasive power compared to institutional sources like environmental nonprofit organizations (ENPOs) on social media remains uninvestigated. We address this gap with a pre-registered between-subjects experiment (N = 269) among 16-to-25-year-olds from Belgium using real SMIs and ENPOs. We find that both sources affect pro-environmental outcomes, but via different mechanisms and among different groups. ENPOs are perceived as more trustworthy, which translates to higher pro-environmental attitudes and behavior intentions. SMIs affect pro-environmental behavior intentions via wishful identification and perceived similarity—yet only among women with higher environmental concern. Both sources stimulate pro-environmental outcomes via perceptions of attainability. Finally, SMIs' effects on pro-environmental outcomes are not fully explained by these source perceptions, which points to the necessity to study additional mechanisms. Overall, our findings illuminate important boundary conditions and mechanisms of newfangled pro-environmental persuasion via social media.

An optimization framework to provide volunteers with task selection autonomy and group opportunities

Nonprofit Organizations (NPOs) rely on volunteers to support community needs but struggle with making strategic volunteer-to-task assignments to enable volunteer satisfaction, and completion of complex tasks. Creation of volunteer groups and their assignment to NPO tasks can help achieve these goals by providing volunteers with opportunity for networking, collaboration, and peer learning. However, strategically creating ideal assignments is challenging because (i) there are exponentially many ways a set of volunteers can be assigned in groups; and (ii) NPOs tend to have limited and uncertain data concerning volunteers' personal preferences, availabilities, and motivations to participate. To address these challenges, this research contributes by introducing an integer programming framework to offer volunteers a menu of tasks to choose from and then based on volunteers' willingness information, creates ideal homogenous volunteer group assignments. These groups are created such that the group collectively meet a task's skill requirements and groups of volunteers of similar skill and affinity levels are prioritized. We apply the developed methodology to a case study based on a partner NPO that works with remote volunteers from multiple countries to produce online educational content. The menu creation method can improve NPO and volunteer-based performance metrics, where the most improvement is observed when a NPO is faced with very picky volunteers. Presenting volunteers with larger menus of tasks also leads to an improvement in ideal group creations. Implementing the group creation methodology helps obtain a statistically significant increase in ideal group creations but results in a tradeoff of decreased benefits to volunteers and the NPO. Finally, implementing a minimum desired group size does not severely impact most KPIs and would be beneficial for an NPO to implement as it encourages the creation and assignment of volunteer groups to tasks.

Kimberly Bryant’s Black Girls Code: closing the opportunity gap in technology for black women and girls

Research methodology This case study was developed using publicly available published sources like the company’s website, articles, blogs, videos, filings, etc. Multiple sources were used to put together the chronology, quotes and details. This case is not disguised. All the key figures in the case study are identified by their real names. Case overview/synopsis Black Girls Code (BGC) was founded by Kimberly Bryant (Bryant, she) as a nonprofit organization in 2011. BGC conducted workshops and programs to teach young girls of color technology, science, engineering and math and train them in Web design, developing apps and robotics. It aimed to address the lack of diversity in science and technology. The organization has received support from tech giants like Google, Facebook and IBM. In one decade, the organization trained more than 30,000 girls and aimed to teach one million girls by 2040. In 2021, the BGC board ousted Bryant, citing allegations of workplace impropriety. She was put on paid administrative leave by the board. This ousting was done in the aftermath of complaints by several employees who raised concerns about Bryant’s conduct. The former and current employees said that high turnover in the organization was due to Bryant’s leadership, which was rooted in fear, and that she would publicly insult managers. The board formed a special committee to evaluate the concerns and sent Bryant on administrative leave. Cristina Jones, who succeeded Bryant as CEO, brought about several changes in the organization and expanded the scope of science, technology, engineering and math to include arts. She expanded the courses to include design, gaming and others. She was looking forward to launching one million black girls in tech by 2040. But before she could go on, she needed to ensure that the ouster of the founder did not hinder the activities at BGC in any manner and also needed to address the concerns of employees, students and funders. Complexity academic level This case can be used to learn about nonprofits, the role of nonprofits in building an equitable society and nonprofit entrepreneurs. The objective is to understand how passionate entrepreneurs can create organizations that can make a high impact with limited resources but with ambition and vision for radical change. This case also helps in learning the challenges encountered due to the rapid growth of startups and the role of the leader in handling such growth. This case can be integrated into any of the existing courses or taken as a special case study to illustrate the gender and racial disparities that exist even in highly developed countries like the USA.

Grounded governance: Cultivating social justice through community-engaged learning with PEPAKEṈ HÁUTW̱ (Blossoming Place)

By deepening student relationships to local governance systems, they become better equipped to envision and enact the worlds they seek to create. This paper discusses a community-engaged learning initiative facilitated by a University of Victoria instructor that centered on the theme of “Grounded Governance” to anchor student learning about governance and social justice theories, movements and practices. The overall approach draws inspiration from bell hooks who explains the value and significance of engaged learning. Specifically, this paper discusses the experience of teaching place-based learning through engagement with Indigenous-led ecological restoration efforts, including collaboration with PEPAKEṈ HÁUTW̱ (Blossoming Place). The author reflects on community site visits with a W̱SÁNEĆ nonprofit organization to learn about ecological restoration and decolonial governance. This grounded approach to teaching is inspired by Indigenous-led place-based learning. As a collaborative effort between the Studies in Social Justice program, the School of Public Administration and community partners, this pedagogy aims to integrate community-engaged learning more deeply into the study of public administration. Doing so in practice emphasizes relationship-building with local Indigenous-led community organizations while supporting student learning objectives by teaching about social justice through collaborative and meaningful public engagement.

Analysis of Employee Satisfaction in Non-Profit Organisations - Based on a Survey of an Association in Nanjing City

Since the beginning of the 21st century, with the gradual expansion of the non-profit organization team, its related needs in human resource management have become increasingly urgent. And the related research on human resource management in non-profit organizations has gradually attracted attention. However, compared with the more mature research on human resource management in for-profit organizations, there are relatively few studies on human resource management in non-profit organizations. This paper selects employee satisfaction as the starting point to study the human resource management of non-profit organizations. Employee satisfaction, as one of the dimensions for judging the human resource management level of non-profit organizations, can detect problems in the human resource management of the organization as early as possible and make corresponding improvements to meet the needs of employees and enhance their work enthusiasm. At the same time, employee satisfaction can also predict employees' mobility intentions and become an important reference for preventing brain drain in advance. This research is based on the relevant theory of job satisfaction, using a questionnaire survey and in-depth interviews as research methods. Take an association in Nanjing as an example to conduct field research and analysis on employee satisfaction in non-profit organizations. In-depth analysis, using SPSS software to carry out descriptive statistical analysis on the data collected by the questionnaire survey and test the reliability and validity of the questionnaire results, found the shortcomings of human resource management in non-profit organizations. Through relevant theoretical analysis, taking into account the actual situation of the association, it puts forward corresponding improvement measures and suggestions for the human resource management of non-profit organizations.

The Power of Story Slams: A Mixed-Method Analysis of Narrative Medicine Connecting, Encouraging and Comforting Healthcare Trainees and Professionals

Background: Narratives convey information and emotion, evoke understanding, empathy, and connection. Healthcare professionals can use narratives to reduce burnout, benefiting them, patients, and colleagues. Story slams are narrative sharing events used for group reflection, providing an opportunity for participants and listeners to improve their well-being by processing complex emotions and identities. Story slams have traditionally been popular with creative writers and nonprofit organizations. Methods: Following a local event hosted by The Moth, the Temple University Lewis Katz School of Medicine (LKSOM) Narrative Medicine program hosted nine story slams over five years with 93 presenters including students and health systems staff. Through a mixed-method analysis, the authors examined the stories for thematic patterns and surveyed presenters to investigate how the experience had impacted markers such as job satisfaction, stress levels, and connection to patients. Eleven presenters were interviewed to provide additional information about the impact they experienced. Results: Patient-centered care, resilience, and the value of learning comprised over half of all themes presented. Following the event, many presenters experienced improved connections with patients, and everyone reported feeling neutral or increased satisfaction with their profession. The interviews conveyed participation, created a lasting impact, fostered a sense of community, and increased appreciation for diversity. Conclusions: Overall, story slams nourish humanity and promote diversity, enthusiasm, and encouragement. This study and others suggest that story slams are inexpensive and effective events that can help reduce burnout and provide academic medical centers with a way to restore and cultivate community among students, physicians, and staff.

EXAMINING THE CURRENT PRACTICE OF GOVERNANCE IN ZAKAT IN A MUSLIM MINORITY COUNTRY: THE CASE OF SRI LANKA

Zakat constitutes one of the pillars of Islam and religious practice in Islam aimed at supporting those in need. It also plays a major role in contributing to the socioeconomic development of society. To achieve efficient zakat management, institutions must focus on strong governance and proper management practices. This focus is essential due to the institution’s responsibility to manage effectively and provide transparent information to the public. Therefore, to meet stakeholder needs, non-profit organizations must prioritize governance. In Sri Lanka, the absence of specific laws or regulations governing zakat practice such as the Marriage and Divorce (Muslim) Act, the Muslim Intestate Succession Ordinance, and the Muslim Mosques and Charitable Trusts or Wakfs Act has led to a need for examination of current governance practices related to zakat collection and distribution. This study explores these practices and highlights how applying governance principles can help achieve the objectives (Maqasid) of zakat management in Sri Lanka. The research employs a doctrinal analysis of primary and secondary data, including statutes, practices, journals, and reports. Additionally, the study analyzes current zakat management practices through interviews with five respondents, including zakat practitioners and Shari’ah scholars, using thematic analysis. The findings reveal several issues: the causes of inefficient governance in zakat management, theoretical and practical problems with existing practices in Sri Lanka, gaps in the zakat governance framework, and conceptual and management deficiencies within zakat institutions. The study recommends developing a new governance framework for zakat management. This should include modern rules and practices based on Islamic law, staff training in fundamental Islamic knowledge, improved internal and external audit processes, and increased awareness among managers, donors, beneficiaries, and members of society.

Examining Nonprofit Financial Condition and Resiliency Strategies in Response to COVID-19

Nonprofit organizations play a vital role in the provision of services. While many turn to nonprofits for help during crisis, nonprofits often find themselves confronting various funding challenges in uncertain and turbulent circumstances. Previous studies have analyzed how financial indicators predict nonprofit vulnerability. However, very few studies have considered the influence of financial condition on nonprofit response strategies and resiliency in financial distress periods. This study examines how nonprofit financial condition influences responses to financial shocks caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Using a convenience sample of responses from medium and small-sized nonprofits in the Midwestern area, coupled with NCCS Core-File data, this study shows that financial condition affects nonprofit response strategies as well as their ability to secure additional funding and hire more staff in the absence of volunteers. This study offers important implications for our understanding of the relationship between the financial condition of nonprofits, their response strategies and nonprofit financial resilience.

Suicidal Ideation by Selected Mental Health Conditions and Demographic Variables among Workers in a Large Non-Profit Organization in the United States

Suicidal Ideation by Selected Mental Health Conditions and Demographic Variables among Workers in a Large Non-Profit Organization in the United States

Enhancing financial transparency in non-profit organisations: Challenges and integration of IFRS for SMEs, IFR4NPO, and GRI standards

This study examines the challenges and needs faced by non-profit organisations (NPOs) in Colombia regarding the adopting of the International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) for small and medium enterprises (SMEs), particularly focusing on sections 3 and 4. Employing a mixed-method approach, the research combines qualitative and quantitative methods. Surveys were conducted with Colombia NPOs, official documents were analysed, and comparative case studies were performed. In-depth interviews and participant observation were also utilised to gain a comprehensive understanding of the obstacles and current practices within the Colombian context. The findings reveal that NPOs in Colombia encounter significant difficulties in adopting IFRS due to the complexity of the standards, lack of specialised resources, and the need for specific training. Internal challenges such as deficiencies in staff qualifications and training, resistance to change, and technological limitations were identified. Externally, ambiguities in the legal framework and donor requirements were highlighted. The case study illustrated that, while there are similarities between IFRS for SMEs and the IFR4NPO project, specific adaptations are essential to address the unique needs of NPOs. This research underscores the necessity of developing additional guidelines or modifying existing ones to enhance the interpretation and application of IFRS in Colombia NPOs. It is recommended to implement proactive strategies based on education and legislative reform to improve the transparency and comparability of financial information. Adopting a more tailored and supported accounting framework will facilitate a more relevant and sustainable implementation, benefiting Colombian NPOs in their resource management and accountability efforts.

The crucial role of drug repositioning in tackling Chagas disease, sleeping sickness, and leishmaniasis

Neglected tropical diseases (NTDs), such as Chagas disease, human African trypanosomiasis (sleeping sickness), and leishmaniasis, disproportionately affect low-income populations in tropical and subtropical regions, leading to high morbidity and mortality rates. Consequently, these diseases, historically overlooked in global health agendas, perpetuate cycles of poverty and impede economic development. Drug repositioning, the repurposing of existing drugs for new therapeutic uses presents a promising strategy by reducing drug development time and cost while leveraging known safety profiles. However, despite its success in other therapeutic areas, this approach remains underutilized for NTDs due to challenges such as a limited drug pool, intellectual property barriers, regulatory complexities, and ethical concerns. Essential strategies to overcome these obstacles include expanding approved drug libraries, fostering multi-sector collaborations, streamlining regulatory processes, and adopting innovative funding models. Collaborative efforts among governments, pharmaceutical companies, research institutions, and non-profit health organizations are crucial to fully unlock the potential of drug repositioning. By working together as a united front, these stakeholders can ultimately transform NTD treatment and improve global health outcomes.

Determinants of the functionality of cost accounting systems in social welfare organizations: Exploratory study using cluster analysis

This paper presents a quantitative exploration of the functionality of cost accounting systems and their determinants in social welfare organizations. We conducted a questionnaire survey of managers of social welfare organizations running special nursing homes for the elderly and conducted a cluster analysis based on the data collected. The questionnaire was created based on the scales used in previous studies, with some new scales developed. For data analysis, the statistical analysis environment R was used. The clValid package of R was used to assess the validity of the cluster analysis. Based on the results of the analysis in this paper, it is expected that social welfare organizations that pursue cost leadership strategies and have a strong public interest orientation will benefit greatly by being able to utilize a highly functional cost accounting system. Such organizations will be able to improve their business efficiency by utilizing cost information, and their social contribution activities based on the resulting resources will truly be a contribution to public welfare. The findings from this study are of practical significance because they can be used by business managers of social welfare organizations to review the functionality of their cost accounting systems. We also focus on the degree to which nonprofit organizations focus on social contribution activities (in this paper, we call this public interest orientation). The public interest orientation of an organization is thought to affect the functionality of the cost accounting system in the same way as the organization’s strategy, but there has not been enough quantitative research on this point. By focusing on the public interest orientation of social welfare organizations, this study contributes to deepening our knowledge in this area.

A Survey of Middleware Adoption in Nonprofit Sectors: A Sustainable Development Perspective

Nonprofit Organizations (NPOs) are adopting technology to improve their quality of services, scale up, or reduce operation costs. However, due to the heterogeneity of systems they use, NPOs face system-integration challenges when collaborating with other organizations. Middleware is an intermediary software that assists dissimilar systems in working together. This paper explores middleware applications, opportunities, and challenges within the sector. It extensively reviewed the current state of research on middleware usage in the nonprofit sector for all papers published in Scopus and Web of Science (WoS) until 2023. Out of 127 papers returned, only 31 remained after removing duplicates, invalid entries, and out-of-scope publications. Then, we synthesized insights from a thorough survey of these selected papers. In light of the survey results, we observed that NPOs primarily use middleware in a few of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), namely, health (SDG 3), NPO operations (SDG 8 and 9), NPO collaborations (SDG 17), development of sustainable cities (SDG 11), security and disaster management (SDG 16), and education (SDG 4). We also identified several challenges related to using middleware in the nonprofit sector, which include privacy, security, system development and performance, data processing and transfer, and volunteer attrition.

Using the Environmental Health Disparities Framework to understand Black and Latino perspectives of a local fertilizer plant fire

In February 2022, a fertilizer plant fire burned for four days and displaced thousands of residents, who were mainly low-income and Black or Latino, from their homes in Winston Salem, NC. In partnership with Black and Latino residents and nonprofit organizations, we sought to understand Black and Latino resident perceptions of the chronic and acute health risks, as well as the emotional and financial effects that resulted from the fire, which included the release of nitrous dioxide. We used the Environmental Health Disparities Framework to guide this community-engaged research study, capturing through semi-structured interviews: 1) how residents perceived their community before and after the fire, 2) how the fire impacted physical and mental health, and 3) how individuals coped with stress. We used thematic analysis to analyze the data and identified seven major themes. Participants: 1) perceived their neighborhood positively, 2) were unaware of the potential dangers of the fertilizer plant before the fire, 3) experienced adverse health and financial effects from the fire, 4) took action to protect themselves from the impacts of the fire, 5) raised concerns about the environmental impacts of the fire, 6) raised concerns about the city's response to the fire, and 7) provided recommendations for future city response.