Impacts of Nonprofits

A few longtime San Pedro organizations and how to help

San Pedro is home to about 336 nonprofits. A big number for a “small town.” As a Harbor Area community, full of diverse people with differing views, residents value local nonprofits and step in to advocate for the environment, politically and for both social justice and well-being among other causes.

Nonprofits embody the best of local communities. They provide ways for people to work together for the common good, transforming shared beliefs and hopes into action.

Causes identified by nonprofits are for societal benefit and human services. This includes 100 Black Men of Long Beach, which serves Black youth in the wake of countless civil rights uprisings by aiming resources toward youth development. Amid an isolating pandemic, Heart of Ida helps older adults maintain independence.

Environmental and wildlife organizations, like Marine Mammal Care Center rescue, rehabilitate marine mammals and birds after recent disastrous oil spills and Long Beach’s Algalita Marine Research connects youth with scientists, experts, politicians and businesses to address plastic consumption.

Education, arts culture and humanities organizations like Angels Gate Cultural Center and Precision Dance Company give back to their communities providing respite and inspiration as well as helping youth fulfill their artistic endeavors.

Health organizations, like Torrance’s Evidence Based California Inc, help transitionalaged youth and BIPOC members experiencing homelessness as Los Angeles wrestles with sheltering its population of more than 41,000 unhoused individuals. These and many other local nonprofits play a fundamental role in creating more equitable, connected communities in this region.

A resource and advocate for America’s charitable nonprofits, the National Council of Nonprofits is a link connecting the largest nationwide and sector-wide grassroots network of nonprofits. A report by the Council of Nonprofits shows how these organizations impact the Golden State, which, if it were a nation, would rank as the world’s fifth-largest economy.

California nonprofits are key contributors to its economy; nonprofit economic activity generates about 15% of California’s Gross State Product. Nonprofits bring more than $40 billion into California each year from out-of-state sources, including the federal government, outof-state foundations, and individual donations from around the world. Despite being exempt from paying corporate income tax, nonprofits pay more than $37 billion in taxes each year at the federal, state and local levels.

Nonprofits rank as the fourth largest employment industry in California. One in every 14 California jobs is at a nonprofit organization, and more than 1.2 million people are employed by nonprofits in the state, accounting for 7% of all employment.

The nonprofit sector’s workforce is more diverse by gender and race/ethnicity compared to the adult civilian workforce. And California volunteers contribute about $16 billion in unpaid labor each year, the equivalent of 331,058 fulltime jobs, most of it in direct work with people, animals and the land.

California nonprofits employ a significantly higher percentage of women and a slightly higher percentage of people of color than the overall civilian workforce. And in leadership positions, nonprofit percentages of women and people of color are more than twice as high as in the overall workforce.

Volunteers bring both economic and intangible value to communities through nonprofits of all sizes and types. They care for people in hospice, raise critical program funds, advocate for clean water, serve as CFOs, museum docents, bus drivers, tax preparers and surgical nurses.

There is a synergy between nonprofits and their communities as the organizations speak out for those they serve. Nonprofits engage in public dialogue. Staff and volunteer leaders speak at hearings, meet with public officials, participate in policy coalitions and take positions on policy matters that affect their constituents. In turn, the Council of Nonprofits reports Californians to give nonprofits higher marks than businesses or government in spending money wisely and in working efficiently.

Yet, the nonprofit sector is in a state of uncertainty and flux in the wake of the pandemic and economic instability. For example, nonprofits led by people of color — which tend to be smaller, less-resourced, and community-based — face a more challenging set of circumstances. Their survival, and the communities who rely on them, are at stake. However, POC-led nonprofits are leading and participating in advocacy and organizing efforts for equity and justice.

Council of Nonprofits reports that organizations led by people of color are preparing for multiple crises in the immediate future due to unmet survival needs, a resurgence of COVID-19, and policies that criminalize communities of color. Many leaders of color expect that unmet survival needs related to food insecurity, jobs, housing, more COVID-19 illnesses and deaths, and harsh economic consequences will significantly increase over the next year.

This is only a microcosm of a particular set of issues. In the larger picture, the Council of Nonprofits posits that these challenges can be overcome through working together rather than by operating separately. The strength of nonprofits is in their collective numbers. They exist in every community, are closest to the problems and understand the issues. For those reasons the council says nonprofits should be sharing their insights with policymakers to help them make informed decisions. Policymakers need to hear the voices of their nonprofit constituents. Nonprofits can’t endorse or oppose candidates running for office, but can take positions on ballot propositions, register people to vote, educate people about issues and help them get their votes in.

Below is a list of non profitorganizations to which you can donate money, time and energy and know it is making a difference:

Harbor Interfaith

The mission of Harbor Interfaith Services or HIS is to empower the homeless and working poor to achieve self-sufficiency by providing support services including shelter, transitional housing, food, job placement, advocacy, childcare, education and life-skills training.

Each year, the nonprofit’s 90-day emergency shelter and 18-month transitional housing program provide residence and support, including childcare to about 450 people. The Family Resource Center extends aid in all areas: free groceries, clothing and hygiene items; rental/utility assistance; case management and

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