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Arizona Nonprofits Make Economic, Social Impact
"Decision makers need to recognize the significant economic impact nonprofits have on our communities. When they understand the facts, elected officials will help bring
nonprofits out of the shadows and into the full light so they participate fully in future economic discussions." Charles German, Mayor of Camp Verde
"When powerful facts about the nonprofit sector's economic contribution in terms of job creation, wages, and even taxes were presented to me, I thought that all members
of the League of Arizona Cities and Towns should hear these impressive figures about the ways nonprofits strengthen our economy." Diane Joens, Mayor of Cottonwood
Such are the reactions heard across the state to the recently released report, "Arizona Nonprofits: Economic Power, Positive Impact." The report shows that the state's nonprofit
sector is not only a critical contributor to Arizona's social fabric and shared quality of life, it is also a powerful economic driver and job creator.
The first of its kind, the report examines in economic terms the sizable contribution that Arizona's 21,000-plus nonprofit organizations make to the state economy in the form of
jobs, wages, revenue generated, and taxes.
Using 2014 data from the Arizona Department of Administration and individual nonprofit survey responses, the report reveals that the economic impact of the nonprofit sector totals
$22.4 billion, or nearly 8% of Arizona's gross state product. This figure includes direct nonprofit revenue of $10.4 billion plus another $12 billion in indirect and induced
economic activity stimulated by the purchases of nonprofit employees and the various businesses that serve as suppliers to nonprofits.
The Arizona Community Foundation, APS, the Maricopa County Industrial Development Authority, and The Phoenix Philanthropy Group funded the research, which was conducted by
ASU's L. William Seidman Research Institute in partnership with The Phoenix Philanthropy Group, the Alliance of Arizona Nonprofits, and the ASU Lodestar Center for
Philanthropy and Nonprofit Innovation.
"We often think of the nonprofit sector in terms of its social impact - social services which are certainly invaluable to Arizona - but we knew there was an economic impact that
was significant and probably overlooked," said Steve Seleznow, President and CEO of the Arizona Community Foundation.
The report shows that the nonprofit sector employs more than 166,000 people - one in 16 Arizonans - making it the state's fifth largest private employer. The sector, which has
seen growth in both the number of people employed and a 12 percent increase in wages over the last five years, paid more than $7.7 billion to its employees in 2014.
A regional breakdown of the data shows that Maricopa County nonprofits create 199,509 jobs and generate $10.1 billion in wages and salaries; Pima County nonprofits create
63,319 jobs and generate $3.2 billion in wages and salaries; and nonprofits outside Maricopa and Pima counties create 61,437 jobs and generate $3.1 billion in wages and
salaries. These data are based on the location of a nonprofit's headquarters.
One of the report's more surprising revelations is that the nonprofit sector generated $28 million in revenue in 2014, which is on par with the revenue generated by the
state's construction sector, and employs 32,000 more people than the construction sector. Nonprofits also employ more people than manufacturing, finance and insurance,
agriculture, and mining. Perhaps most notably, more than 72% of nonprofit revenue is generated by earned revenue, fees for services, and government contracts-not from
philanthropic contributions.
"Nonprofit organizations are a good investment. In our work, we have found that nonprofits are often the most innovative and best managed groups around. Their positive
social and cultural impact is critical, but we should never ignore the significant economic contribution they make to our state by generating revenue, creating jobs, and
strengthening our economy. " Richard Tollefson, President, The Phoenix Philanthropy Group
And while nonprofits are exempt from Federal income tax, they do pay property, sales, and payroll taxes, plus city, county and state use taxes. The report shows that
Arizona's nonprofit sector generated approximately $2.1 billion in state and local taxes in 2014, accounting for 9.5% of all state and local tax revenue in Arizona. If
federal taxes were included, the total amount would be significantly larger.
In addition to providing a range of economic data about the nonprofit sector, the report also features profiles of innovative nonprofits and leaders who are breaking new
ground with their programs and services. The report is available for download at www.AZNonprofitImpact.org. For
additional information, contact Anthony Evans, Senior Research Fellow, Seidman Institute, at anthony.j.evans@asu.edu or Laurel
Kimball, Project Manager Principal, The Phoenix Philanthropy Group, at kimball@phoenixphilanthropy.com.
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League of Arizona Cities and Towns
1820 W. Washington St.
Phoenix, AZ 85007
Phone: 602-258-5786
Fax: 602-253-3874
http://www.azleague.org
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