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Nonprofit employment growth in Md. outpaces private sector
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BALTIMORE (Map, News) - Nonprofit organizations provide nearly one out of every 10 jobs in Maryland, thanks to a recent boom in sector employment growth.
Employment in Maryland’s nonprofit sector grew 2.9 percent from 2005 to 2006, nearly three times faster than the state’s for-profit sector, which grew 1.1 percent in the same period, according to a Johns Hopkins University employment report released Monday.
The growth resulted in 6,840 new nonprofit jobs for the state, bringing the state’s nonprofit work force to more than 244,000 at the end of 2006 — representing 9.6 percent of all jobs in Maryland. The sector generated more than $10.6 billion in wages in 2006, or 8.5 percent of the state’s total payroll.
“Not only do nonprofits provide critical services and opportunities for cultural expression, but they also play a key role in the state’s economy,” said Lester Salamon, director of the Center for Civil Society Studies with JHU’s Institute for Policy Studies.
“Nonprofit job growth is especially critical given the recent employment declines in other parts of the U.S. economy,” Salamon said.
All regions of Maryland — Baltimore City, the Baltimore suburbs, the Washington suburbs, the Eastern Shore and Western Maryland — saw nonprofits add jobs at rates above for-profit sectors, according to the report.
“This growth continues a long-term trend,” said Nancy Hall, senior adviser at the Maryland Association of Nonprofit Organizations. “Between 1999 and 2006, nonprofit employment in Maryland grew 20.5 percent — nearly three times the rate of for-profit jobs [7.1 percent growth].”
The nonprofit sector has grown because it consists of industries that are growing, like education, social services and health sciences, said Stephanie Geller, research project manager with CCSS and co-author of the report.
The Johns Hopkins study comes three months after a survey of nearly 6,000 nonprofit employees not holding executive director positions found that 64 percent had financial concerns about committing to a nonprofit career. The report, produced by the Baltimore-based Annie E. Casey Foundation and several partners, also found that 69 percent of respondents feel underpaid in their current positions.
The authors of the report said at the time of its release that financial concerns were the biggest barrier to job growth in the nonprofit industry.
Staff Writer Aaron Cahall contributed to this story.
acannarsa@baltimoreexaminer.com
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Examiner Reader said:
We need to see an updated story on the center they celebrate 40 years this year.
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Examiner Reader said:
Funny that the point has been lost in this article.Better take a good look at what you get into.
10 agree | 10 disagree
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James Hall said:
I'm honored and blessed to be working in the Youth Service arena, however I'm having difficulties locating events and activities for our youngmen who range from 12 through 18. The Summer for AT-RISK youth can offten be extremely dissapointing. If your agency has any resources that we can access please forward them to: James Hall; diamona4sure@yahoo.com. Our kids would really be greatful and appreciative!!! Mr. James Hall, Counselor Our Fortress Homes, Inc. 410-485-4958
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Examiner Reader said:
I guess the answer to my previous question is, "No, Mr. Corrigan is incapable of writing about anything other than Nonprofits." I guess the Examiner realizes that if he writes about anything else, Mr. Corrigan only spouts he own political views instead of reporting.
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Examiner Reader said:
While I realize that Mr. Corrigan has limited writing skills and he enjoys wearing out his Thesaurus in an attempt to impress people with his vocabulary, can't he write about anything other than Nonprofits?
19 agree | 10 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
At least this time Mr. Corrigan wrote a variation on his theme of the past 10 weeks, instead of just the same story with different words.
19 agree | 11 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
It seems as though the Examiner just lets Mr. Corrigan recycle the same story every week or so, and has let him do it for about the last 9 weeks. As much as I support recycling, I think it might be time for a new topic.
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Examiner Reader said:
It's only a matter of time. Plan thoroughly, consider all options, and where roadblocks are placed before you, find alternatives. Remember that during the Katrina evac, all the buses where in the up-scale part of town that the walkers from poor sections couldn't get to in time. Please be careful. People need you, but there are those who don't want you to succeed.
223 agree | 165 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
With all the shady, non-taxed, I mean, so-called, non-profits in Maryland, working for a non-profit is working in the private sector.
185 agree | 187 disagree
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Huh? said:
"[T]his $1.6 million, 22-employee nonprofit has a track record to support its claim." Okay, fair enough. So, what's the track record? Also, if the org has helped about 1,000 women since 1994, that's fewer than 90 women per year and there are 22 employees! It had better be successful at that ratio. Another point: Not-for-profit is merely a tax status. It does not mean that administrators cannot earn a handsome salary. I am not suggesting that is the case here but there's a reason these places don't share that info without being asked.
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Examiner Reader said:
As a woman in recovery who needed balance in my life recovery houses such as M artha"s Place deserve to recieve all the available resources to help restore self-esteem, and save lives. How can we mimnimize lives by withholding funds. I am an alumni who's life has been restored because of Martha's Place! I thank God for Elder & Mrs.Harris for leaping out into an area many others have not and willnot accept the challenage to save lives!
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Examiner Reader said:
Hi! Thank you so much for printing this article. It is a wonderful summary of what this incredible organization does. My husband works for Jeff Singer. Jeff is an incredibly humble, gracious and loving person. He truly cares about each person who comes through his Center. He deeply appreciates the job that everyone does on a daily basis. One can only truly appreciate the magnificent compassion and respect this organization offers to our homeless friends by visiting the center and helping face-to-face, hand-to-hand and heart-to-heart as this family reaches out to those in need. Thanks again for helping to make our neighbors aware of the needs of our brothers and sisters and the assistance provided by these loving angels of mercy!
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Matthew C. Andrea said:
Please post the contact information for PlayPumps International. This concept is brilliant, fun and uplifting. Definitely something that I would like to support.
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Examiner Reader said:
When is Montgomery County going to realize that Casa of MD is taking them/us to the cleaners?
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