Research

Volunteering in America 2010 (PDF) from the Corporation for National and Community Service. Across the country, 63.4 million Americans volunteered to help their communities in 2009, an additional 1.6 million volunteers when compared to 2008, contributing 8.1 billion hours of service, which has an estimated dollar value of nearly $169 billion.

Wisconsin Nonprofit Sector Report 2009
A state’s economy is driven by three sectors: public, private, and nonprofit. The general failure to recognize the economic benefits of nonprofits means that key decisions regarding the growth and support of this sector are being made without complete information. The Wisconsin Nonprofits Association presents this report, in collaboration with the National Council of Nonprofits and the Urban Institute’s National Center for Charitable Statistics, to promote a better understanding and appreciation of our state’s nonprofit community. 

The Wisconsin State of Philanthropy Report 2009 provides a first-ever detailed look at grantmaking in Wisconsin as well as a deeper look into how philanthropy is practiced in the state.  At a time with economic difficulties facing our state, this report provides critical benchmarks for grantmakers and information on giving for nonprofits.

Wisconsin Nonprofits Coping with Economic Crisis Survey Report, May 2009
Survey participants include nonprofits from around Wisconsin that provide important services and strengthen the livelihood in our statewide communities. They are diverse in geographic location, staffing size, budget, and mission. The key findings of the survey results include:

·  Organizations are tapping cash reserves to meet budget shortfalls.
·  Uncertainty about future financial health is creating anxiety.
·  Demands for their services are increasing while donations are decreasing.
·  Commitment to fulfilling missions remains strong.

Download the (PDF) report. WNA was a part of a group gathered and lead by Forward Community Investments to create, distribute, and analyze the survey.

Wisconsin Nonprofit Sector Report 2008
The Wisconsin nonprofit sector is a major economic force, strengthening our state every day. It has grown by 70 percent over the past ten years. In 2005, there were over 31,000 Wisconsin nonprofits that employed 8.9 percent of the state’s total workforce, marking a 5.2 percent employment growth rate over 2004 and pushing Wisconsin well above the national trend of nonprofits employing 7 percent of the workforce, according to the Wisconsin Nonprofit Sector Report – More Than Charity, a new report by the Wisconsin Nonprofits Association (WNA).