A recent report from the Lincy Institute at UNLV measured the benefits that Nevada’s nonprofit sector has on the state economy.
The report quantified, among other factors, the number of nonprofit organizations in the state, as well as the jobs they provide and revenue they generate.
Among the findings, the report noted the disparity in state funding of nonprofit sectors in the North and South, with those in the South on the short end of the stick.
A Las Vegas philanthropic organization has a novel idea for boosting the nonprofit sector — and in doing so, the economy — in Southern Nevada.
Moonridge Group, founded in 2011, has launched Board Matchmaker, a free service that connects local nonprofit organizations with competent and passionate people to serve on their boards of directors.
“A strong board of directors is the most important resource a nonprofit can have,” said Julie Murray, founding principal and CEO of Moonridge Group.
Murray is a veteran in Southern Nevada philanthropy. Before establishing Moonridge Group, she founded and guided Three Square Food Bank’s growth, was national campaign director for the Andre Agassi Charitable Foundation and co-founded the Las Vegas “I Have a Dream” Foundation.
“These nonprofits are in dire need of excellent leaders. We want to be that matchmaker,” Murray said.
Potential volunteers fill out a survey to assess their background, sector of interest, monetary giving level and time to dedicate to being a board member. Board Matchmaker then pairs them with organizations based on the needs they have in time, financial commitment and expertise.
Volunteer boards of directors are responsible for governmental and financial oversight of the operation, as well as supporting the CEO and executive director and making sure the nonprofit stays true to its mission. Boards are not involved with day-to-day operations.
So how does a strong nonprofit community boost the local economy? It provides jobs, of course. The Lincy report counted 43,222 Nevadans making an average salary of about $45,500 working at nonprofits in 2011.
But that’s not all.
“The services they offer are services the government doesn’t have to provide … and services that if they didn’t provide, people would die, starve or be homeless,” Murray said.
This is another example of people helping people in Las Vegas, which, among people outside Southern Nevada, has a reputation of not having much heart. Let’s give Board Matchmaker a round of applause.