The following bio is that of an event speaker or guest author. This person is not directly affiliated with the John Locke Foundation.

Richard M. Clerkin, Ph.D., is Professor in the Department of Public Administration and Executive Director of the Institute for Nonprofits at NC State University. He teaches classes in public administration and nonprofit studies at the undergraduate, masters, and doctoral levels.

His research interest focuses broadly on understanding why people voluntarily contribute to the common good. In particular, he studies motivations for public service and public benefiting activities. The Changing Philanthropy Project, explores the impact of geographic mobility and regional philanthropic traditions on 1) the volunteering and donating behavior of individuals and 2) the ability of nonprofit organizations to adapt to these changes in their community.

His research has been published in journals such as Nonprofit and Voluntary Sector Quarterly, Nonprofit Management and Leadership, VOLUNTAS, Public Administration Review, American Review of Public Administration, Review of Public Personnel Administration, and Armed Forces & Society. As executive director of the Institute for Nonprofits, he leads a team of professional staff and students to be a community where ideas, resources, and support are devoted to strengthening the capacity of nonprofit and social sector organizations in NC and beyond through research, education and engagement.