Non-profits represent a major section of the economy, directly and indirectly contributing about $64 million to City of Nanaimo's gross domestic product in 2023, according to a recent economic impact study.
The City of Nanaimo: Not-for-Profit Sector Study was conducted by Nordicity, using data from 2023 to provide an understanding of the economic, social and environmental impacts generated from local non-profits, as well as strategies to further strengthen the sector.
"A lot of people and a lot of communities don't really have anything formally written on the impact of their non-profit sector, and it's quite significant as we have learned from the study," said Janice Krall, Greater Nanaimo Chamber of Commerce vice-chairperson.
Krall also works as the chief development officer for the Nanaimo and District Hospital Foundation, a non-profit supporting the Nanaimo Regional General Hospital, Oceanside Health Centre, Dufferin Place, Trillium Lodge, and Eagle Park. The foundation also operates two businesses, Lifeline Nanaimo and Code Brew Caf茅.
"Some of the non-profits have businesses, they have social enterprises now, they're becoming more sophisticated B次元官网网址� There are lots of different ways that a lot of people don't look at the non-profit sector, because it has evolved," she said. "This helps share and give a perspective to the impact the non-profit [sector] has, similar to what we know the business community may have."
Nordicity stated that the not-for-profit sector directly contributed approximately $40 million to Nanaimo's GDP in 2023, while generating $14 million in indirect GDP, through purchase of supplies and services, and another $10 million in induced GDP impact through workers re-spending labour income. In total, it equals a contribution of about $64 million. The majority of the expenses, about 76 per cent, are spent in Nanaimo.
"A significant part of the economic impact of NanaimoB次元官网网址檚 not-for-profit sector arises from the employment it supports for the local and regional economy, expressed in full-time equivalents B次元官网网址� The industry supported an estimated total of 940 [full-time equivalents] in 2023, resulting in over $53 million in total labour income," the report reads.
Nanaimo non-profit employees were reported to earn slightly higher wages, both at a wage and annual level, than the provincial average. On average, full-time employees made $64,400 per year.
The report also considered the nature of the non-profits, with the largest sub-sectors representing social services, as well as religious and faith groups. Both represented 19 per cent of Nanaimo's non-profits. Health placed third, representing 16 per cent of the organizations.
For outcomes, 78 per cent of organizations aimed to improve mental health, 62 per cent to improve social inclusion and diversity, 53 per cent to increase access to wellness services and 51 per cent to enhance social cohesion and cultural exchange.
Krall said the chamber's community investment committee would like to do a follow-up study in two or three years, so they can continue to measure the economic growth caused by the non-profit sector.
"It's really leveraging that report to share with the community and the business community," she said. "Leverage that for grants, for partnership opportunities, for sponsorship opportunities, connecting businesses with corporate social responsibility interests they may have in the non-profit sector. Really using that to build collaboration and building a healthy community."
