Donors Forum has released a new report, A Vital Force in Illinois: The Nonprofit Economy 2011, that shows that the nonprofit sector remains a key player in the state’s overall financial health. In Illinois, nonprofit organizations:

• Rival the state’s largest industries in size. The number of workers employed by nonprofits in Illinois exceeds the worldwide workforces of major corporate employers Boeing, Kraft, Abbott Labs, Sara Lee, and Motorola combinded, and is more than double the size of the entire construction and transportation, warehousing, and utilities industries' 2009 workforces.
• Account for ten percent of all private sector jobs.
• Contribute significantly to Illinois’ economy. 
• Have a positive multiplier effect on the economy. 
• Reduce state costs. 
• Generate $9.3 billion in volunteer time annually.

The report also suggests actions that the general public, lawmakers, foundation and corporate leaders, and nonprofit staff and board members should take to ensure that nonprofits continue to be a vital force in Illinois' economy.

A Vital Force was made possible in part by the Henrietta Lange Burk Fund, administered by Bank of America Merrill Lynch.

Read or download the full report, along with recommendations and implications, here.

~Alyse Bentz, Communications and Development Volunteer