The San Diego region has one of the most dynamic economies in the country. Aerospace, defense, tourism, life science, cleantech, and agriculture all help contribute to a healthy local economy. According to the San Diego Regional Economic Development Corporation, they all make significant contributions to our $282.28 billion economy.
Nonprofit organizations may not come to mind as contributors to our local economy, but they play a key role. According to the University of San Diego Nonprofit Institute, nonprofit organizations represent 10% of our local economy. Do the math, it’s a $28.2 billion share of San Diego’s overall economy.
Did you know:
- There are 10,000 nonprofits in San Diego County
- Half of all San Diegans donated to a nonprofit in 2023.
- 46% volunteer for one or more nonprofit organization
- 81% of San Diegans reported confidence in nonprofits
We see how San Diego’s nonprofits like Serving Seniors directly improve the lives of individuals daily, even though their positive contributions to the economy are often overlooked.
National Nonprofit Day takes place this Saturday, Aug. 17. The annual observance encourages citizens to take some time to learn more about nonprofits operating in their communities, including here in San Diego County.
Whether focusing on education, health, environment, or social justice, nonprofits leverage the power of collective action. Nonprofits like Serving Seniors step in to supplement public government efforts and build stronger, more resilient communities.
Nonprofits enhance the quality of life for people and communities by providing essential services, building community resilience, creating vibrant spaces through arts and culture and promoting social and environmental change.
Our staff and volunteers are dedicated to upholding the highest standards of community service, donating time and effort to support low-income and homeless older adults who often have nowhere else to turn.
The National Council of Nonprofits reports nonprofits nationwide employ 12.3 million people. More people are employed by nonprofits than construction, transportation, or finance. They pay taxes and buy goods and services with their salaries.
Nonprofits also create work opportunities for millions of individuals above and beyond the those employed directly. Nonprofits like Serving Seniors who help provide caregiving allow family members to work outside the home. Nonprofits also provide job training and placement services for people who would otherwise be unemployed or underemployed.
Nonprofits also consume goods and services in order to operate, and this creates even more jobs.
San Diego’s high cost of living in the region has led to an increase in demand for many of the services nonprofits provide, including housing and food assistance. Forty percent of local nonprofit executives polled by USD report that demand has increased substantially, and 38% reported it has increased moderately over the past 12 months.
According to a nationwide report, more than half (53%) of all American nonprofits saw greater demand for their services during the COVID-19 pandemic. As a result, one-third experienced higher operating costs along with the need to deliver more support.
You might be surprised how efficiently your favorite nonprofit puts your donations to work. Serving Seniors can provide two weeks of lunches to an older adult for $50; two months of breakfasts for $250; or 250 meals for $1,000. We call it a “Miracle In a Meal.” For many people, a meal is just a meal. But for seniors living in poverty a meal is so much more. It’s an entry point to all Serving Seniors’ life-changing services.
During nearly three decades as CEO of Serving Seniors, I’ve talked directly with the people who benefit from our services. Thanks to the work of our staff and volunteers supported by our donors and additional funding, a nonprofit like Serving Seniors can change someone’s life for the better in a real and meaningful way.
Paul Downey is CEO of Serving Seniors, a San Diego-based nonprofit that helps seniors in poverty live healthy and fulfilling lives.
