Silver City, NM - The nonprofit sector is a major economic driver in Grant County, employing nearly 10 percent of the local labor force and contributing nearly $25 million to the local economy in 2015[1], according to results of the 2015 annual nonprofit survey conducted by The NonProfit Resource Group, a program of The National Center for Frontier Communities (NCFC), headquartered in Silver City.

"Twenty-five million dollars represents a huge economic impact on Grant County, but it's important to remember that nonprofits contribute to the local economy in numerous ways that go beyond dollars alone," said Lisa Jimenez, manager of The NonProfit Resource Group (NRG), a program dedicated to strengthening nonprofits and community coalitions. "Nonprofits provide many services that people depend on, services that government and private business can't provide. Nonprofits educate our children, provide vital health care services, protect the environment, provide arts and cultural opportunities and so much more. These key services enrich our quality of life and help make Grant County an attractive place to live, work and relocate to."

Charitable organizations also help improve literacy rates, language and computer skills, and provide volunteer and internship opportunities to enhance job skills, and nonprofits are often the catalyst for new nonprofit and for-profit businesses, Jimenez added.

According to a study conducted by The University of New Mexico, the nonprofit sector is also a major economic force throughout the state, employing more than 1 out of 20 paid workers - more than twice as many as the New Mexico state government, more than in manufacturing, more than in agriculture, mining, oil & gas and utilities combined, and almost four times the number in the State's real estate industry. [2]

Compared to 2014 survey results, Ms. Jimenez said it appears that overall, local nonprofits are offering fewer health care and other benefits, though further study is required to validate that data. "It's certainly concerning, Also, nearly half say they have staffing needs, which offers an economic development opportunity if they have funds to hire."
Another concern, she added, is that there appears to be significantly more organizations that are struggling to maintain existing programs, and fewer that say they are trying to grow or expand programs:

• 46% (vs. 60% in 2014) say they are "trying to grow and develop or expand programs, staff and capacity"
• 37% (vs. 30% in 2014) say they are "just trying to sustain and maintain their existing programs and services"

Other key findings from the Grant County survey:

• 57% have been in existence for 12 or more years; 11% have been at work for 8-11 years; and 24% have existed 4-7 years.
• Regarding employment, 50% of respondents (up from 43% in 2014) said they are an all-volunteer organization with no paid staff and/or hire consultants as needed; 17% employ part-time employees only; 15% employ 1-5 staff persons; compared to 38% in 2014; 9% employ 6-13 staff persons. (These numbers do not include Hidalgo Medical Services, which employs approximately 200.)
• The majority do not provide health care benefits to their employees, but 35% offer paid time-off and sick leave; 15% offer both health and life insurance and 11% offer dental benefits.
• Based on survey responses, the annual salary range for an executive director or coordinator of a Grant County nonprofit is $30,000 to $44,000, for an average of $38,363 (excluding Hidalgo Medical Services.) The average Grant County annual wage is $32,918. [3]

Ms. Jimenez noted that when asked what their top concerns are this year, nonprofit leaders said they worry most about funding. "This reflects what we see on a day-to-basis, working with our local nonprofits," she said. "Nonprofits, particularly those in rural and frontier communities, are struggling to meet increased demand for services, while reimbursements from public contracts and private donations remain flat or are decreasing. "

Survey results are used to determine upcoming workshops and trainings offered by NRG, which also offers free "curbside" consulting to nonprofits every Wednesday morning, 9 am to noon, and by appointment. "Curbside" is held at the offices of the Southwest Center for Health Innovation (SWCHI), Suite 5 at College Plaza, 301 W. College Avenue, Silver City.

A free, one-hour "brown bag" workshop: Three Ways to Market Your Nonprofit will be held Wednesday, June 8th from noon to 1 pm. To RSVP please contact Lisa Jimenez at 575 574-5473; email: lmjimenez13@gmail.com.