BOISE -- Many people know nonprofits as organizations that ask people for donations, but the latest study by the Idaho Nonprofit Center shows that they actually bring in nearly $2 billion in revenue for the state each year.
The center is an association representing nonprofits statewide. It commissioned the University of Idaho to research how not-for-profit businesses boost income to the community. Lynn Hoffmann works with center. She says the report finds that nonprofits are significant employers in Idaho.
The study also finds that nonprofits stimulate the local economy. To illustrate how this works, we spoke with the Idaho Botanical Garden on their long standing relationship with Silver Creek Supply.
Julia Rundberg with the garden says over the years the garden has bought equipment and hired the company for installation service. Meanwhile, John Slaughter, a sales manager with Silver Creek Supply, says sales from the garden has helped their business, as well as expand their clientele.
The report also found that nonprofits pay a significant amount of taxes, up to $117 million annually. Hoffmann says services like health care, education, and arts, which some nonprofits provide, makes communities much more attractive to new businesses.
Hoffman said this is the first time the center published the report, and it plans to publish a new one every year. She hopes this report will encourage more businesses to look to nonprofits to partner up and make communities stronger.
