NIU and DCNP Collaborate on Third Nonprofit Study

Report includes economic impact of the nonprofit sector, impact of COVID-19

DeKalb County has a robust nonprofit sector employing seven percent of the total workforce. Yet, COVID-19 has had a noticeable financial impact with nearly 82 percent saying they have had to cancel fundraising events due to the pandemic. A new study explores nonprofit organizations based in DeKalb County and provides a glimpse at their funding, programs, and the impact of COVID-19. The Center for Nonprofit and NGO Studies at Northern Illinois University and the DeKalb County Nonprofit Partnership (DCNP) collaborated on the study, which provided two NIU graduate students with valuable hands-on research and nonprofit experiences.

“The original idea for this project came from DCNP members back in 2013,” said Ben Bingle, DCNP Director. “This is the third DeKalb County Nonprofit Study and it is as relevant as ever for nonprofit staff and board members who want resources to help them make informed decisions about their organizations.”

Download the DeKalb County Nonprofit Study

Previous studies were completed in 2014 and 2017. The three-part series was supported by funding from the Douglas C. and Lynn M. Roberts Family Foundation.

The study consisted of an electronic survey that was sent to nonprofit representatives in September 2020. Data collection lasted three weeks, followed by analysis and reporting of the results. The survey generated a response rate of about 40%.

Alicia Schatteman, director of the Center and the principle investigator for the study, said “This study affirmed that the nonprofit sector is both resilient and dedicated to serving residents, despite the financial challenges during COVID. Our nonprofit organizations provide vital services but they also represent our commitment to care for each other and also to celebrate together.”

View Additional Resources