Voluntary social welfare agencies both influence and are influenced by the environment in which they function. The authors explore contemporary factors that affect voluntary agencies, including changing demographics and service needs, alterations in the level and type of government support, emphasis on volunteerism and private-sector involvement, and new or modified laws regarding charitable giving and tax-exempt status. The range of agency adaptations to these external influences are examined. Efforts to forge closer partnerships between voluntary agencies and the corporate world and to apply business concepts to planning, managing, fund raising, and marketing have met with some success. The future viability of these agencies depends largely on successful interorganizational relationships, increased and sustained advocacy, the exercise of political influence, and improved communication and public relations.
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