GUELPH – Homelessness, poverty, healthcare, and the environment are hot topics in the community benefit sector, says the executive director of the People and Information Network (PIN).
“That is the tip of iceberg when you look at the significant work of non-profits and charities in Guelph Wellington.
“The community benefit sector is not only an under-recognized economic engine, it forms the foundation of supports contributing to the health and well-being of communities and powered by a valuable volunteer human resource,” Kim Cusimano said.
The organization has launched its annual survey of the sector to see where the needs and challenges ahead will be.
And there will be many.
There are an estimated 170,000 nonprofits and charities in Canada and in 2018, over 12.7 million Canadians engaged in formal volunteering, with a total of 1.6 billion hours of their time given to charities, non-profits and community organizations—equivalent to almost 858,000 full-time year-round jobs (Statistics Canada).
In Ontario, nonprofits and charities contribute $50 billion in economic impact engaging 5 million volunteers. These are significant and vital resources for communities.
Since 2020, PIN has led an annual Community Benefit Sector Survey to understand the impact of COVID locally.
Through these surveys key information has presented: volunteerism is facing unprecedented change and challenge, nonprofits have faced decreased revenue, increased demand for service and concerns for the wellbeing of their teams.
Why does it matter?
“You do not need to look far to see how the community benefit sector contributes to our towns and cities, and to our families, our children and ourselves,” Cusimano said. “Coaching your children’s sports team, your grandfather’s weekly friendly visitor, driving your mom for her cancer appointments, supporting food insecurity, accessing health services and housing, engaging in faith, arts and culture and more; nonprofits and charities are woven into our lives.”
In a recent Ontario Nonprofit Network – State of the Sector During Uncertain Times report, the demand for nonprofit services was found to be higher than ever before, inflation rapidly increased costs while revenues are decreasing.
Nonprofits are experiencing a relentless human resources crisis and volunteers are not returning. Overall, 34 per cent of nonprofits reported they were unable to sustain for more than 12 months.
What does about Guelph – Wellington?
“We need to continue to understand the status of nonprofits and charities locally” says Cusimano.
“Where is there opportunity and how can we work together to strengthen the social fabric and the sustainability of core local programs and services?”
PIN welcomes all nonprofits and charities to complete this survey, which is open until October 28.
To complete the survey, visit PINnetwork.ca
