11 Stats on the Nonprofit Sector
I have spent my entire career in the nonprofit field. Because of that longevity and specialty, I am asked questions by those interested in the nonprofit field, such as those seeking full- or part-time employment, volunteer opportunities or just want to learn more about the nonprofit sector.
Because of the importance of the nonprofit sector in this changing society, updated nonprofit facts and statistics are important to know and understand. Here are 11 nonprofit sector stats:
- There are more than 10 million nonprofits and non-governmental organizations worldwide. (Source: Foundation Group)
- There are approximately 1.8 million nonprofits in the United States. (Source: Urban Institute - opens as pdf)
- California, Texas and New York have the most nonprofits. (Source: Cause IQ)
- Nonprofits employ 12.3 million people in the U.S. – about 10.2% of private sector employment (Source: U.S Bureau of Labor Statistics)
- Nonprofits spend $2 trillion annually, including nearly $1 trillion for goods and services, ranging from large expenses, like medical equipment for nonprofit hospitals, to everyday purchases such as office supplies, food, utilities, and rent, as well as $826 billion on salaries, benefits and payroll taxes every year. (Source: National Council for Nonprofits)
- Approximately 63 million Americans volunteered with nonprofits. (Source: Nonprofit Source)
- About 49% of high-net-worth households volunteers with nonprofits while 91% give to charity (Source: Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy - opens as pdf)
- Overall, volunteers are twice as likely to donate than non-volunteers. (Source: AmeriCorps)
- About 29% of giving occurs in December, with 11% happening in the last three days of the year. (Source: Network for Good)
- Overall giving has reached $484.85 billion. (Source: Giving USA Foundation)
- About 70% of nonprofit supporters prefer communications through email, with 7% citing direct mail and 6% indicating social media as their preferred channel. (Source: FreeWill).
It is important to have updated nonprofit sector facts and figures. The impact of this sector is profound, and by understanding this sector, it is hoped greater numbers of individuals will decide to be employed by nonprofits, donate time, talent and treasure to nonprofit organizations, and generally promote the sector.
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Duke Haddad, Ed.D., CFRE, is currently associate director of development, director of capital campaigns and director of corporate development for The Salvation Army Indiana Division in Indianapolis. He also serves as president of Duke Haddad and Associates LLC and is a freelance instructor for Nonprofit Web Advisor.
He has been a contributing author to NonProfit PRO since 2008.
He received his doctorate degree from West Virginia University with an emphasis on education administration plus a dissertation on donor characteristics. He received a master’s degree from Marshall University with an emphasis on public administration plus a thesis on annual fund analysis. He secured a bachelor’s degree (cum laude) with an emphasis on marketing/management. He has done post graduate work at the University of Louisville.
Duke has received the Fundraising Executive of the Year Award, from the Association of Fundraising Professionals Indiana Chapter. He also was given the Outstanding West Virginian Award, Kentucky Colonel Award and Sagamore of the Wabash Award from the governors of West Virginia, Kentucky and Indiana, respectively, for his many career contributions in the field of philanthropy. He has maintained a Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE) designation for three decades.
