Did you know that nonprofits comprise more than 10 percent of all private sector employment in the country, accounting for 11.4 million employees according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics? In fact, if the nonprofit sector were a country, it would have the seventh largest economy in the world.
In West Virginia, nonprofit organizations employ 71,800 people and account for $9.3 billion in total state revenue which is 12.5 percent of the state GDP. While West Virginia often is in the lowest position when compared to the other 49 states, it is ranked number one in informal volunteering and food collection and is considered the 11th most generous state with 360,600 total volunteers and over 42.4 million hours of volunteer service.
In Greenbrier, Monroe, and Pocahontas counties, nonprofits generate over $87.5 million annually.
Beyond these impressive economic facts, non profits provide essential services. Across the country, they work to educate our children, feed the hungry, maintain parks and public spaces, build homes, and serve our communities. Nonprofit Awareness Month seeks to create a better understanding about the value, importance, and impact of the nonprofit sector.
Below are ways individuals can gain awareness and support the causes they are passionate about:
- Learn. Each day during the month of November, local nonprofits will be posting videos on Facebook that highlight the contributions that they make. Visit the Facebook pages of a local nonprofit to view the daily videos.
- Volunteer. Get directly involved in the success of local nonprofits. Go to www.gvfoundation.org/volunteer to find the type of volunteering project that works for you.
- Give. Find a charity you care about, make a donation, and encourage others to give. Don’t forget, your donation is typically tax deductible!
- Share. Do you have a story to tell about a nonprofit that has done something helpful for you or a special memory of an event? Tell about it on Facebook!