They help connect the community to the arts and culture, ensure public safety, help with economic development, and provide mental health and other social services. The nonprofit sector is having a growing positive impact at local, state, and national levels. As of October 2000, North Carolina has 29,337 nonprofit organizations. The scale and scope of the nonprofit sector means that most citizens are working with, for, or though a nonprofit at some time during each week. Local government cannot do everything.
Government is generally responsible for the broad goal of serving the public at large.
Nonprofits usually serve particular groups of citizens, and local governments can capitalize on that expertise by seeking information from nonprofits for program development or community problem solving. Additionally, local government can contract with nonprofits for services that the government probably cannot afford to do efficiently. Local government officials also can look to nonprofit leaders as a source of current research or specialized knowledge. In order to bring a voice or perspective for the community that might not be represented otherwise, government officials can ask nonprofits to sit on local government boards. Because of their lean structures and close connections to their client populations, nonprofits can quickly identify trends and solutions, and adjust their strategies as the needs of the community change.