Local accountant: How local businesses and individuals can support vital nonprofit sector

National Nonprofit Day, which takes place on Thursday, Aug. 17, is an opportunity to recognize the life-changing work and positive impact organizations have on Jacksonville, the state of Florida and the world.

Nonprofits predate our nation’s formation. Two of the first known organizations were The Union Fire Co. founded in 1736 by Benjamin Franklin and the Pennsylvania Abolition Society founded nearly 40 years later (1775) for the relief of those unlawfully held in slavery.

Hospitals and private universities are typically the most prominent nonprofit organizations in most communities, but they aren’t the most common. Most are smaller and lesser-known human service organizations, working quietly and behind the scenes to tackle critical and complex issues.

These organizations as well as hundreds of others like them throughout Northeast Florida work tirelessly to assist the hurting, hungry and homeless. They offer programs and services to protect the environment, promote cultural arts, educate children and help create more equitable and thriving communities.

Need food? Jacksonville, Gainesville food banks merge to help more food-insecure

Groundwork grant: Jacksonville cigar titan Swisher gives $500,000 to continue work on city's S-Line rail trail

Letters: Nate Monroe misses the point on downtown development in Jacksonville

They go where others can’t or won’t go, doing what others can’t or won’t do.

Many believe all nonprofits are just poor, volunteer-run organizations operating out of someone’s kitchen or a broom closet. They are surprised to learn that there are about 1.8 million organizations in the nation, employing more than 10% of the total workforce.

In Jacksonville there are almost 8,065 registered organizations. Beyond providing employment, these nonprofits contribute greatly to economic development. They pay rent and lease buildings, pay taxes on unrelated business income, purchase goods from other businesses and offer valuable services at low or no cost.

For all their hard work and dedication, nonprofits cannot succeed without community support. The phrase “collective impact” describes how social issues and concerns are addressed when a network of organizations, institutions and companies join forces and work together toward a common cause.

In other words, we’re better when we work together.

Just as nonprofits have a responsibility to fulfill their missions, companies have a responsibility, too. By supporting charitable organizations, you are making an investment in individuals and neighborhoods in your community.

If you’re unsure how to get started, here are four ways every company can support local nonprofits:

Volunteer

Nonprofits rely on individuals to assist with a variety of tasks.

Find an organization with a cause your employees care about and give them time off so they can get involved. When employees participate in community volunteerism, they have improved teamwork, better workplace satisfaction and higher retention rates.

Civic engagement is also important to prospective employees and can be an effective recruiting tool for companies.

Serve on a board

Nonprofit board service is a great way to make a meaningful contribution to a cause and the community. It gives individuals a chance to share their skills, grow in their knowledge of important community issues, interact with people outside their typical networks and develop new leadership skills.

Partner

For-profit companies can create collective impact by locking arms with nonprofits. For instance, banks can partner with organizations focused on financial literacy. Mental health providers can assist victims of violence and abuse or IT companies can support nonprofits with software training and support.

Partnerships can include professional development, pro bono services and free office space for organization training or events. Sharing your company’s resources can greatly enhance a nonprofit’s capacity and impact.

Sponsorships and support

Nonprofit fundraising and awareness rely on public events like walks or runs, golf tournaments and galas. Corporate sponsorships help make special events a success and they provide an excellent platform to demonstrate your company’s commitment to the local community.

On this National Nonprofit Day, take time to learn about the important work being done by organizations and consider getting involved. All of us have an opportunity and a responsibility to make Jacksonville a better place for everyone.

Ed Salek, CPA, is a partner in the Jacksonville office of Forvis, a national accounting and advisory firm. 

This guest column is the opinion of the author and does not necessarily represent the views of the Times-Union. We welcome a diversity of opinions. 

This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Support charitable organizations on National Nonprofit Day and beyond