Nonprofit Sector Assessment is First in a Series of Research and Data Reports by Foundation for a Healthy St. Petersburg
Today the Foundation for a Healthy St. Petersburg and the Nonprofit Leadership Center released a county-wide assessment that highlights the assets, aspirations and concerns of the Pinellas County nonprofit sector. This first-of-its-kind report includes three components: a high-level scan of the 6,167 registered 501(c) organizations by location, service, employment and financial capacity; the results of a detailed online survey of 240 nonprofit leaders; and insights from 30 telephone interviews with nonprofit CEOS, executive directors and board presidents.
“Nonprofits in Pinellas County perform far beyond the numbers and charts and graphs in this report,” said Foundation President and CEO Randall H. Russell. “These amazing organizations serve people, brighten lives, and contribute immensely to our quality of life. The purpose of this assessment report is to offer the community a snapshot of the sector’s strengths as well as the areas where they need support to do their highest and best work. We rely on nonprofits to help advance our mission of a more healthy and equitable county, therefore investing in these organizations is a priority for the Foundation.”
Some of the highlights of the Nonprofit Assessment:
Many small nonprofits:
- Of the county’s 6,167 registered 501(c) organizations, 1,004 have net assets above $10,000
Sustainability and mission:
- 91% of the 240 organizations surveyed report having the tools, facilities and technology to deliver services within their mission
- 76% feel positive that their organizations will grow over the next three years
- 34% of nonprofits surveyed report that less than 15% of their overall funding is unrestricted
- 73% say unrestricted funding would do the most to contribute to their future growth
Talent:
- 82% of the organizations surveyed have paid staff
- More than 60% of the organizations have fewer than 10 employees
- Staff turnover is a concern: 48 percent of nonprofit leaders report average staff tenure is 0-5 years
- Fundraising capacity is the most frequently cited talent need. Only 50% of leaders feel they have the right fundraising team in place to raise money
- 48% believe they pay a competitive salary, yet insufficient pay and burnout are cited as the top two reasons for staff departures
Download the full report at healthystpete.foundation/research.
The results of this assessment will guide the Foundation in future investments in nonprofit capacity-building efforts, in partnership with the Nonprofit Leadership Center. The Nonprofit Leadership Center is an important regional resource and leader in nonprofit coaching, training and leadership development with expertise in areas of training need identified in the assessment report, including Fund Development, Board Governance, Marketing and Social Media.
“Around the country, a growing number of communities are making the investment to assess the size, scope and health of their nonprofit sectors,” said Emily Benham, CEO, Nonprofit Leadership Center. “The Pinellas County Nonprofit Assessment is an important step in elevating the profile of these vital organizations and encouraging the entire community to value and invest in their health and well-being. This assessment is just the beginning of a cycle of further inquiry and research, accompanied by investments in training and continuing education of staff, boards and leadership. We are delighted to support the Foundation’s capacity building efforts in Pinellas.”
Foundation Launches Research and Data for Health Equity Series
The Pinellas County Nonprofit Assessment marks the first of a series of ongoing community briefings commissioned and released by the Foundation under the banner of Research and Data for Healthy Equity. This is a wide-ranging effort to bring evidence-based approaches to advance equitable health outcomes in Pinellas County. The Foundation supports research conducted by nonprofit and governmental partners with expertise in key areas impacting health, including social determinants of health such as education, housing, economic justice, and food and nutrition.
“This Foundation’s mission is to end differences in health due to social and structural disadvantages to improve population health,” said Foundation President and CEO Randall H. Russell. “Research and data help identify and target disparities that undermine health– particularly among those who have experienced discrimination and underinvestment in their communities based on skin color, poverty and other factors. Informed by data, our goal is to address health equity proactively, before health consequences are negatively impacted by institutional discrimination. High-quality research is among our most important investments.”
Upcoming reports in the Research and Data for Health Equity series include a report on Pathways to Post-Secondary Education, created in partnership with the Pinellas Education Foundation, scheduled for release in June 2018; an enhanced Pinellas County Community Health Needs Assessment, conducted by the Florida Department of Health in Pinellas, scheduled for release July 11, 2018; a report on the state of Pinellas County Housing, scheduled for September 27, 2018; and a report on the Development of a Workforce Ecosystem for Differently Abled Persons, produced in cooperation with CareerEdge, scheduled for release August 2018.
About the Foundation for a Healthy St. Petersburg
The Foundation for a Healthy St. Petersburg is a private foundation formed in 2013 following the sale of the nonprofit Bayfront Health St. Petersburg. It is the steward of almost $180 million in assets to support health equity in Pinellas County. The Foundation inspires and empowers people, ideas, information exchange, organizations and relationships to end differences in health due to social or structural disadvantages and improve population health.
About the Nonprofit Leadership Center
The Nonprofit Leadership Center of Tampa Bay (NLC) develops and connects nonprofit leaders to strengthen organizations and our community. We serve Hillsborough, Pinellas, Polk, Pasco, and Hernando counties and offer in-classroom, online, and custom training as well as coaching and consulting in all aspects of effective and sustainable nonprofit operations. NLC is a 501(c)(3) supported through grants, individual and corporate support, and program fees.