Meet Megan Beddow, GFDD/FUNGLODE Fellow Researching Nonprofit Management in the Dominican Republic

The Fellows Program, an initiative of GFDD and FUNGLODE, is excited to introduce its newest scholar, Megan Beddow, dual master’s candidate in Public Affairs and Arts at Indiana University. Megan’s research focuses on nonprofit partnerships and institutionality in the Dominican Republic, and is slated to begin in
June 2015.

About Megan
Prior to her graduate studies, Megan completed a BA from Florida Southern College in mathematics, sociology and Spanish. Her research scope includes nonprofit management, community development, and social entrepreneurship with a focus on Latin America and the Caribbean. Previously she has published in the mathematics field of topology, and she now seeks to use her analytical skills to look for solutions to pressing
international development issues.

Megan’s professional experience includes a period of national service as an AmeriCorps volunteer in Miami, Florida, as well as consulting in youth development and budgeting and operations in Puerto Montt, Chile. She also has experience coordinating family and community stabilizing services, acting as a financial
coach, managing youth programs, and facilitating instruction of language, literacy, and finances to diverse populations. Megan’s passion for Latin America has led her to reside in Mexico and Chile, as well as to enjoy various travels through Costa Rica, Peru, and the Dominican Republic.

About the Research
As a GFDD/FUNGLODE Fellow, Megan will conduct research on the presence and respective nature of collaboration within the
Dominican nonprofit sector. This research will gather survey and interview data from development nonprofits and international nongovernmental organizations (INGOs) with missions aligning with the United Nations Millennium Development Goals. This project contributes to the augmentation of voices of local Caribbean practitioners in the nonprofit management and development literatures. The research will form part of her master project while producing a report with recommendations for INGOs
seeking to work with Dominican organizations to be published through the program.

With a propensity for systems thinking, Megan anticipates that further study of ways to enhance efficacy for Dominican nonprofits focusing on education, job training, and job creation will create pathways for greater opportunity for all Dominicans in the years to come.

Megan will realize her fellowship under the guidance of her US Advisor, Claudia Avellaneda, as well as an
in-country advisor as yet to be named.

About the Fellows Program
The Fellows Program was developed in 2009 to respond to the  desire of GFDD and FUNGLODE to develop a community of scholars that contributes to the Foundations’ growing body of research on matters of international concern that directly impact the Dominican Republic, complementing the overall mission of GFDD and FUNGLODE to promote academic exchange, generate
scholarship, and influence the creation of public policy related to economic and social development both at the national and international level.

Through The Fellows Program, GFDD and FUNGLODE seek to generate scholarship on issues at the forefront of the United Nations’ agenda in order to give voice to national and regional concerns and offer viable solutions to domestic and international challenges.

The Fellows Program provides opportunities
for M.S., M.A. and Ph.D. candidates interested in conducting high-level research in the Dominican Republic on issues related to sustainable development. The final output of the investigation is a comprehensive report which includes empirical data. Fellows realize research in coordination with GFDD and FUNGLODE staff, National Advisor and their university professors. Fellows that carry-out exemplary work have the opportunity to present their findings before the United Nations community on
behalf of GFDD and FUNGLODE.

More information: www.drfellowsprogram.org