Each month Independent Sector collects research with broad sector relevance to share with you. July’s research contains important insights into the impact of COVID-19 on nonprofit arts institutions, child care, and employment in the sector.
Americans for the Arts: ‘First to Close. Last to Open.’ COVID-19’s Impact on the Arts
Americans for the Arts leads four national studies tracking the human and financial impacts of the COVID-19 crisis on the arts.
Nationally, financial losses to nonprofit arts and cultural organizations are an estimated $6.7 billion as of June 15, 2020. Organizations also have lost $234 million ue to cancelled events, resulting in a $7.4 billion loss in event-related spending by audiences at local businesses (restaurants, lodging, retail). The economic impact of these losses is $2.4 billion in lost government revenue and 407,000 jobs no longer being supported. Findings are based on 12,500 survey responses. 10% of respondents “not confident” that they will survive the COVID-19 pandemic (a potential loss of 12,000 organizations). And yet, 67% are delivering artistic content to raise community spirits and morale.
- More on the study: COVID-19 Arts Research Update
National Association for the Education of Young Children: Holding on Until Help Comes, A Survey Reveals Child Care’s Fight to Survive
Our nation’s children, families, early childhood educators, and businesses long have been denied the level of public investment necessary to ensure a thriving, high-quality child care system. Now, the lack of sufficient public investment in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic has forced families, educators, and child care programs into a series of impossible choices between health, safety, quality, and financial solvency.
- More on the study: Holding on Until Help Comes, A Survey Reveals Child Care’s Fight to Survive
Johns Hopkins Center for Civil Society Studies: The 2020 Nonprofit Employment Report, The 3rd Largest Employer Faces the COVID-19 Crisis
A new report from the Johns Hopkins Center for Civil Society Studies finds that U.S. nonprofits maintained their position as the third largest employer in the U.S. economy, overtaking manufacturing by nearly 100,000 workers nationwide in 2017, and exceeding that industry in 28 states and territories across the U.S. Indeed, the only industries employing more workers than the nonprofit sector in 2017 were retail trade and restaurants and hotels.
However, as is the case with all sectors of the economy, nonprofits face challenging times as a result of the on-going COVID-19 pandemic, with projected job losses of over 1.6 million workers between March and May of 2020.
- More on the study: The 2020 Nonprofit Employment Report
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!
