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It is widely known that San Francisco is home to an extensive network of nonprofit organizations. But how many nonprofits are there? What do they contribute to the city’s economy? What financial challenges do they face? And how do these organizations reflect the diversity of the community they serve?
Answering these questions was the goal of a new report co-authored by CompassPoint and the University of San Francisco, and funded by the Haas, Jr. Fund and other local foundations. The report seeks to provide the philanthropic sector, government, and the broader community with a clearer picture of the state of San Francisco’s nonprofit community – its strengths and vulnerabilities, its people, its finances, and more.
The study’s main takeaway is that the nonprofit sector is relatively strong in San Francisco but that many organizations still struggle to stay afloat. These challenges are bound to grow because of the uncertain state of the economy.
For foundations and other funders (and for nonprofits themselves), the study provides an important heads-up that we may need to adjust our thinking and our assumptions about how best to ensure that the city’s nonprofits can stay strong and grow still stronger. Meanwhile, for the community as a whole, it offers a much-needed reminder that these organizations are doing vitally important work every day – and they deserve our support.
