The non-profit and voluntary sector in Manitoba is a key economic contributor, with more than 100,000 employees in our workforce. Statistics Canada released a report on the economic activity of the Non Profit and Voluntary Sector for the period from 2007 to 2017 on March 5, 2019. The report indicated that economic activity in the non profit sector totaled $169.11 billion in 2017, representing 8.5% of Canada's gross domestic product (GDP). Community non profits accounted for 16.4% of the overall sector, while business non profits accounted for 10.4%.
The report also noted that the non profit sector in Manitoba, along with those in Newfoundland and Labrador, PEI, New Brunswick, Quebec and the Northwest Territories all surpassed the national average. From Indigenous serving organizations, employment and education programs, long-term care homes to youth serving organizations, shelters, food banks, arts and cultural events, Manitoba's non profits, charitable organizations and the voluntary sector are on the front lines supporting and serving our communities during the COVID-19 crisis.
Our sector organizations serve the most vulnerable Manitobans, both rural and urban.
Of our surveyed organizations, 67% have experienced reduced revenue from earned income. 70% have reduced revenue from fundraising. 81% have experienced a disruption of services to community and clients, and this is just a small picture of the shortterm impact. In addition to lost revenue from fundraising, many of our organizations receive government funding that has been signaled for possible cuts. Surveyed organizations are reporting low confidence in the government’s commitment to their work.
We need a clear commitment from government to ensure there is no greater disruption to the essential services Manitoba’s non-profit and voluntary organizations provide.
To read the full report, click here
The Manitoba Federation of Non-profit Organizations Inc. has been monitoring the evolving COVID-19 crisis, and the impact this pandemic is having on our sector. You can reach them at mfnpo.org.
