Like with any other sector, the charitable sector relies on data to ensure its health and sustainability.
Nonprofits and philanthropy constitute the economy’s third-largest employer and provide 12.8 million jobs, two-thirds of which are held by women, according to data released by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) in August. Unlike employers in for-profit industries, the charitable sector does not receive quarterly wage and employment data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ (BLS) Quarterly Census on Employment and Wages (QCEW). Instead, the sector often has to wait five years or longer for this data. Inconsistent and outdated data means the charitable sector is unable to benchmark outcomes against larger trends or help policymakers advocate for responsive policies.
In Fall 2024, the Aspen Institute and National Council of Nonprofits’ authored a letter urging President Biden to take executive action and instruct the Bureau of Labor Statistics to include the charitable sector in the Quarterly Census on Employment and Wages. The MASSCreative Action Network circulated the letter, which received support from approximately 600 organizations and researchers across the United States.
You can access the letter below.
