COVID-19 Impacts US Nonprofit Organizations

Olivia Van De Ven

ENC 1102: English Composition

April 5, 2021

Introduction
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Did you know that there are 1.6 million nonprofit organizations in the United States? .

Did you also know that nonprofit workers make up “Ten percent of the American workforce or

11.4 million jobs?” (Independent Sector 2021). Traditionally, when you people hear ‘nonprofits’

they either associate it with food banks or homeless shelters; however, nonprofit organizations

range from Arts Relief, to Feeding America, to Kaboom. The impact of nonprofit organizations

in the United States extends far beyond simply The Red Cross and Habitat for Humanity.

Nonprofit organizations influence the lives of millions of people, whether they are on the

receiving end, working for the organizations, or working as a volunteer. For example, “63

million Americans... volunteer their time, talents, and energy to making a difference”

(Independent Sector 2021), this amount of time equates to $193 million dollars in time worked.

As we can see, nonprofit organizations are essential to the United States. As everything else has

been affected due to COVID-19, so have nonprofit organizations in the United States.

My research project, “COVID-19 Impacts US Nonprofits,” will break down and analyze

the impact of COVID-19 on nonprofits. I am majoring in Global & International Studies in

hopes of being a Humanitarian at a nonprofit organization. The focus of the exploration will be

divided by the three most pressing factors of nonprofit organizations that are experiencing the

greatest stress. These three perspectives include financial, awareness, and effectiveness,

meaning, COVID-19 influenced nonprofits through many aspects financially, influencing the

organizations methods of awareness, and lastly the ability in which the nonprofits are able to aid

those in need. By breaking down these categories, we can truly understand the impact COVID-

19 has had on the many aspects of not only nonprofit organizations, but the entire world. After

beginning my research process, I had stumbled upon the Annual Giving Manager, Emma Parker,

for the nonprofit organization, the Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra. The Orlando Philharmonic
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Orchestra is a nonprofit organization here in Orlando that provided me the opportunity to

research the topic first hand.

Perspective 1: Financial

Perspective 2: Awareness

Perspective 3: Effectiveness

Discussion / Analysis

● Compare and contrast the perspectives

● Similarities and differences

● Patterns and paradigm shifts

● Create list of actionable items and / or Call to action

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References

Independent Sector. 2021. “The Charitable Sector.” Independent Sector.

https://independentsector.org/about/the-charitable-sector/.

Independent Sector. 2020. “The Impact of COVID-19 on Large and Mid-Sized

Nonprofits.” Independent Sector. https://independentsector.org/resource/covid19-

survey/.

Alexander, Lucy. 2020. “Nonprofits Are Struggling Because of Covid. Here Are 17 That

Could Use Your Help.” The Macallan. https://robbreport.com/lifestyle/news/17-essential-

non-profits-struggling-during-pandemic-1234586907/.