Overview

What becomes possible when we recognize nonprofits as an industry?

Los Angeles has a nonprofit industry. It is the fourth largest employer in the region, with much of its economic activity centered on people and local communities. Yet nonprofits are still too often understood primarily as charity rather than as a vital part of our region’s economic infrastructure.

It is time to explore a different way of thinking about the sector.

Join us for a half day exploratory convening bringing together nonprofit, foundation, and government leaders to examine what it could mean to move from charity to infrastructure and build greater sector power across Los Angeles County.

 

What the Data Tells Us

Nonprofits represent 1.5% of all employer establishments in Los Angeles County, yet account for 8.5% of employment. The sector generates 12% of economic output and supports 17% of all jobs across the county.

This economic impact reflects the unique role nonprofits play in our region. Nonprofits employ people, provide essential services, invest in communities, and direct resources back into the local economy.

The data gives us an opportunity to ask a bigger question: If nonprofits are already an economic force in Los Angeles County, what would change if we started treating them like one?

 

From Charity to Infrastructure

How we understand nonprofits shapes how we support them.

When nonprofits are viewed primarily through the lens of charity, it influences how they are funded, included in economic planning, and understood by government, philanthropy, and the broader public.

Recognizing nonprofits as an industry and essential infrastructure opens the door to a different conversation. One centered on investment, sustainability, partnership, and collective power.

This convening is an opportunity to begin that conversation together.

What We’re Exploring

Together, we will explore questions about what it could take to build greater recognition and power for the nonprofit sector across Los Angeles County:

• Does recognizing nonprofits as infrastructure change how we understand the sector’s role and value?
• What would it mean to recognize nonprofits as an industry?
• What currently prevents the sector from being treated as essential economic infrastructure?
• What would greater investment in nonprofit infrastructure look like in practice?
• What would nonprofits, philanthropy, and government need to do differently to strengthen the sector’s collective power?

 

Who Should Attend

This conversation is designed for

• Nonprofit executive directors and senior leaders thinking about sector sustainability and growth.
• Foundation and philanthropic leaders are encouraged to attend.
• Government leaders and agencies that partner with nonprofits.

 

If you are thinking about what comes next for Los Angeles County’s nonprofit sector and how we build greater power together, we invite you to join this in-person convening.