Nonprofits in 2002

The Year in Review

Putnam Barber

The Evergreen State Society :: www.tess.org

Presented at the 9th Annual Nonprofit Leadership Conference
Seattle Center :: April 3, 2003

 

At the start, let us pause to note with sorrow the passing of people who, over their lifetimes, made important contributions to our communities and to nonprofits more generally.

 

You will probably have your own leaders and mentors you remember with affection and respect.  Looking back on the past year or so, I think particularly of

o   Marc Lindenberg

o   Mel Jackson

o   Betty Jane Narver
 

Numbers of Nonprofits

• The number of nonprofits continues to increase.

• The number of “non c3’s” declined slightly.

Some key statistics about the numbers of nonprofits in Washington state:

Date	Registered with Secretary of State	Recognized IRS 501(c)(3)	501(c)(3) 990 filers (rev > $50K/yr)	Gross receipts ($billion)	Other 501 sections	Filers’ gross receipts ($billion)
January 1, 2003	43,904	19,742	7,349	$31.9	11,249	$9.2
July 1, 2002	…	19,251	7,137	$31.7	11,260	$8.2
January 1, 2002	40,187	…	…	…	…	…
July 1, 2001	…	18,262	6,589	$18.4	…	…
May 1, 1999	39,677	16,662	5,045	$12.2	…	…

Note: Federal numbers in 1999 are based on filings in that year.

 

Tough times

• Many smaller nonprofits report declining revenues.

• At the same time, nonprofits of all sorts report increases in client needs and calls for their services.

• Responses to direct-mail solicitations have declined steeply.

 

Stress

• Surveys: 2/3rds of EDs are in their first such job and 45% of all Eds report they do not plan to continue in the role.

• Calls for “accountability” multiply; many versions of the term.

• Changes in federal guidelines and standards; state and local program shifts; funding reductions.

 

Challenges

• People in Yakima sue the NW Areas Foundation over cancelled project.

• The support for services for the people with disabilities authorized by Ref. 37 is ending.

• Several capital campaigns have fallen short though others have met goals.

• GreaterGood.com and The Hunger Project temporarily closed.

 

New strengths

• Major new philanthropies operating in our region: Gates Foundation and others.

• Abundance of expertise in the region: graduate studies, certificate programs, skilled consultants and advisors.

• Tacoma Art Museum, Greater Everett Community Foundation, other new institutions launched in spite of difficult time.

• Conversion of public agencies into strong new nonprofits; gift of the Paramount Theatre.

 

New techniques

• Use of the Internet for programs, communications and fundraising continues to transform field.

• “New Hollywood” short-term collaborations and cooperative ventures.

• Engaging donors in new ways; national replication of the SVP model.

• Decision-support software making its way into grantmaking.

 

Transitions

• There is new leadership at organizations that are important to our work:

–   Trisha McKay at the Medina Foundation

–   Edith Chambers at the Atlantic Street Center

–   Alice Shobe at Philanthropy NW

•  And important changes occurring at others:

   

  –   Search for a new president at the University of Washington

  –   And for a new dean for the Evans School

 

Hail and farewell

• On that theme, a good way to end this brief review is to look back over the more than two decades that Anne Farrell has been at the helm of the Seattle Foundation.

 

2003….….?