This is adapted from work by Cheryl O’Neill, Executive Director of Womenspace by Marshall Peter, Executive Director of Direction Service

Invest economic stimulus dollars in human-service non-profit agencies because:

• These programs are flexible, nimble and designed to respond quickly to funding changes. Unlike infrastructure spending, we can begin injecting money into local economies tomorrow.

• These programs are significant employers in every community in Oregon. America’s nonprofits employ more than 9% of the nation’s workforce – which is more than all of the employees working for the finance, insurance, and real estate industries combined. Adding the value of volunteer labor, the economic impact of America’s nonprofit sector skyrockets.

• These programs infuse money into local communities. For example, last fiscal year alone Womenspace and Direction Service injected more than 3 million dollars into the Lane County economy – every dollar benefiting local businesses and the community. When magnified by all the other (local, state and national) non-profits the economic impact is staggering.

• These programs are overseen by community volunteers on Boards of Directors. This is an accountability measure not present in the for-profit sector, and helps ensure that all money spent will be spent wisely and in the best interest of the local community.

• These programs are already being forced to make serious cuts in the face of skyrocketing needs. The funding outlook is very discouraging and more cuts loom on the horizon.

• Investing in human service non-profits will have a double benefit. The money will support the strong non-profit economic engine and much of the community benefit we provide helps get and keep people working.

• Investing in human service non-profit jobs will help ensure gender equity in the stimulus package and make it more likely that the benefits will reach children. Infrastructure jobs are still predominately male, while non-profits employ a much higher percentage of women.