More Than Charity
Nonprofits are essential to Los Angeles County’s economy and the data helps tell that story. CNM partnered with the Los Angeles Economic Development Corporation (LAEDC) to reveal insights and research to strengthen the case for greater recognition, investment, and support for the nonprofit sector.
$185.6B
in total economic output
1.16M
jobs supported
(17.1% of all jobs)
4th
largest employer sector countywide
27,916
active nonprofits in the county
What The Data Tells Us
Share of nonprofits with annual income under $1 million
Nonprofits are Small Businesses
90% of active nonprofits in LA County have annual income under $1M, according to IRS 990 data (2025).
Nonprofits Among Top Employers
If nonprofits were a separate industry, it would be LA County’s 4th-largest employer, according to BLS payroll employment data (2022).
Making Our Nonprofit Ecosystem Visible
We helped to map all 27,916 nonprofit organizations across the county to show where they work, the industries they represent, and the economic impact they generate. We invite you to interact with our dashboard below to learn about the impact of nonprofits on the community level.
View this interactive dashboard in a separate window to easily explore the data, insights, and key findings
Explore the Full Dashboard Experience
We have mapped all 27,916 nonprofits in Los Angeles County in an interactive dashboard. View this interactive dashboard on a desktop or laptop to easily explore the data, insights, and key findings.
Our Sector's Impact Deserves To Be Seen
Nonprofits strengthen communities, create jobs, and contribute billions to Los Angeles County’s economy. Access the full report and help bring greater visibility to the scale and value of our sector.
Enter your email below to receive a PDF copy of the full Economic Impact report of the Nonprofit Sector in Los Angeles County report.
About This Research
The research was conducted by the Center for Nonprofit Management and the LAEDC Institute for Applied Economics using IRS Form 990 data, Bureau of Labor Statistics data, and economic impact modeling to assess both the direct and ripple effects of nonprofit activity throughout the regional economy. The analysis covers organizations that held tax-exempt status in 2025 and filed a Form 990 in 2020 or later.
Authors: Shannon M. Sedgwick; Justin Adams, Ph.D.; Dan Wei, Ph.D.; and Matthew Skyberg. Published December 2025.
Suggested citation: LAEDC Institute for Applied Economics and Center for Nonprofit Management. The Economic Impact of the Nonprofit Sector in Los Angeles County. December 2025.
Acknowledgements: This report was a collaboration between the Center for Nonprofit Management (CNM) and the LAEDC. We want to acknowledge the invaluable contributions of CNM research staff Eric Derghazarian, Nathan Witkin, Gabrielle Felder, and Leslie Schnyder.
