By Nancy Barry
Each month, Independent Sector collects research with broad sector relevance to share with you. April’s research contains important insights into the 2021 estimated value of volunteer time, the current health of the nonprofit sector, and understanding next-gen donors and high net worth donors of color.
Value of Volunteer Time
Independent Sector, with the Do Good Institute, has released the latest value of a volunteer hour, estimated to be $29.95, which is a 4.9% increase from 2020 to 2021. The figure illustrates the valuable contributions volunteers make to support our communities and nation. According to the Value of Volunteer Time, and using data from AmeriCorps on volunteer hours, volunteers typically contribute nearly $200 billion to our communities. In addition to the national number, Independent Sector also provides the state-level value of volunteer time for all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico.
Find your state-level value of volunteer time.
2022 Health of the U.S. Nonprofit Sector: Quarterly Review
The 2022 Health of the U.S. Nonprofit Sector: Quarterly Review provides Independent Sector analysis of federal data highlighting the nonprofit sector’s economic contributions and human capital. Recommendations cover research, practice, and policy. This report complements data and recommendations in the 2021 Health of the U.S. Nonprofit Sector annual report. As the nonprofit sector continues to be the underpinning of civil society and healthy, equitable communities, the goal of the report is to spur deeper discussions, greater action, and more collaboration so that everyone in the U.S. can thrive.
Philanthropy Always Sounds Like Someone Else: A Portrait of High Net Worth Donors of Color
A new report by Donors of Color provides a portrait of high net worth BIPOC donors, who exist in large numbers, though they continue to be underrepresented in existing donor networks. Most high net worth donors of color in the qualitative survey practice religious and political giving and prioritize education and social justice causes. The report highlights the importance of BIPOC-focused giving communities and ways that nonprofits can better engage with high net worth donors of color.
Learn more about high net worth donors of color.
The Future of Philanthropy Depends on Next Gen Donor Learning
Nonprofits rely on generous donors to provide funding for much-needed resources. The Dorothy A. Johnson Center for Philanthropy’s new report, Next Gen Donor Learning, recommends good practices to develop giving programs for donors from Gen X and later generations. Their recommendations are based on an intensive case study of the Greater Houston Community Foundation, which has one of the most comprehensive and respected next gen learning programs in the
Read more about the recommendations for supporting and engaging next-gen donors.
Add Your Voice
The research summaries above are by no means an exhaustive list of the newest information out there to help us better understand the nonprofit landscape. Did we miss a report you think we should know about and share? Let us know by leaving a comment!
