An impressive array of services is created and maintained by a partnership of public sector, private sector, and nonprofit groups. The results were obtained through a survey conducted jointly by the Center for Philanthropy at Grand Valley State University and The Grand Rapids Foundation, and through national statistics on the nonprofit sector and information from the Michigan Jobs Commission. There are nearly 2,000 nonprofit organizations in Kent County alone. Nonprofits FACT Nonprofits in Kent County employ more than 21,000 men and women. This projection is based on current employment data from the Michigan Jobs Commission, average national and local salaries within the nonprofit sector, and results from the REMI Analysis conducted by the W.E. Upjohn Institute for Employment Research.
Nonprofits make a direct impact on the economy of Kent County through payroll and taxes.
But nonprofits also make an indirect impact on the economy. The indirect impact consists of the jobs and payroll that are supported by the nonprofit sector services and workers. For example, to assist with the details of daily administration and operation, nonprofits employ many outside individuals such as printers, accountants, and lawyers. Employees of nonprofits also help pay for the services of teachers, construction workers and auto mechanics. For every two jobs created by the nonprofit sector, one job is created in the community.