Characteristics and models of resource centers supporting SONPOS in the Northwestern federal district in the context of regional governance

The subject of this study is the characteristics and functioning of resource centers (RCs) for socially oriented non-profit organizations (SONPOs) in the Northwestern Federal District (NWFD) of Russia. The significance of RCs for the development of SONPOs and the lack of sufficient attention to this topic in academic literature and government policy motivated this research. This article aims to fill this gap and enhance the understanding of RCs' role in regional governance. Based on an analysis of existing literature, the main functions of RCs are identified, and approaches to defining their essence are examined. Utilizing developed criteria and information sources, the author identified 51 RCs in 11 regions of the NWFD. Quantitative and qualitative indicators of RCs in the NWFD are determined. The quantitative analysis assesses the scale and diversity of RCs in the NWFD, revealing their distribution across regions, levels of development, organizational forms, and other characteristics. The author identifies four basic models of RC functioning in the NWFD: the infrastructure leadership model, the state model, and the grassroots model. The findings highlight significant differentiation in the qualitative and quantitative aspects of RC development in the NWFD regions. The results contribute to a deeper understanding of the functioning of non-profit sector development institutions in the NWFD as key elements of infrastructure support for SONPOs.