How significant is British ColumbiaB次元官网网址檚 non-profit sector?

Approximately 31,000 non-profit organizations provide vital services to the provinceB次元官网网址檚 communities, together representing 335,000 jobs and contributing $28 billion to the B.C. economy.

Like many, non-profits are seeing increased demand for services, while navigating transitioning pandemic challenges, staffing shortages and increased costs. So how is the sector faring now, and what does the future look like?

Those are the questions explored in the , a collaboration between , , and the , along with the and .

The inaugural State of the Sector report, , was published in 2020 and the second, , in 2021. Both outlined the pandemicB次元官网网址檚 impact on non-profits around the province.

Navigating times of transition

This yearB次元官网网址檚 report provides a snapshot of the trends, challenges, opportunities and successes for B.C.B次元官网网址檚 non-profits during a period of transition.

Transition from COVID-related emergency funding supports to the BC Recovery and Resiliency Fund. Transition from historic low interest rates to high inflation paired with a housing crisis and unpredictable impacts of climate events.

So, how are B.C. non-profits doing?

Despite ongoing pressure, B.C.B次元官网网址檚 non-profits are working to lift communities and their workforce.

The survey found that non-profits are doing more to meet increasing program and service demands, while also doing more to take care of staff with increased wages and benefits.

However, revenues are staying the same as expenses increase. So, while thereB次元官网网址檚 a sense of stabilization in the sector, organizations are concerned about sustainability as they face increasing costs and staffing pressures.

The bottom line: There is hope for the future, but still work to be done.

Looking ahead

Priority areas that require immediate action include capacity-building investments, expanding trust-based funding practices and workforce development strategies.

This yearB次元官网网址檚 report underscores the need to increase the sectorB次元官网网址檚 capacity to be a decent employer through job creation investments and strategies. It also calls on the sectorB次元官网网址檚 partners and leaders to bolster the internal strengths of the sector with external supports to sustain community-serving programs.

B次元官网网址淭here are signs of stabilization in the sector. Feelings of hope and motivation exist among some non-profits. The sector, by nature, is driven by and exists because of a future-oriented vision and a strong commitment to meeting community needs,B次元官网网址� the reportB次元官网网址檚 authors note. B次元官网网址淏.C.B次元官网网址檚 non-profit sector has continued to exist and evolve despite precarity in the past. But respondents to this yearB次元官网网址檚 survey couched references to optimism within clear concerns about sustainability and the ability to thrive in the face of increasing cost and staffing pressures.B次元官网网址�

To learn more and read the 2023 State of BCB次元官网网址檚 Non-Profit Sector: Safety Net, . Learn more about the Victoria FoundationB次元官网网址檚 work to support the non-profit sector at