Touched by nonprofit organizations - Essay Example

Impacts of Non-Profit Organizations to the Community: A Reflection on how Life has been touched by Non-Profit Organizations AbstractToday, non-profit organizations find themselves in a unique position that can result in changes that are positive to the world (Shaffer, Deller and Marcouiller, 2004). However, just like other organizations, non-profit organizations also face various challenges during their course of operation. The benefits of many non-profit organizations include service to the community via low-cost centers as well as bringing awareness to certain issues of significance and attract a host of other people sharing a similar course (Shaffer, Deller and Marcouiller, 2004).

This paper discusses the benefits that a community reaps from non-profit organizations or rather reflects at how lives have been touched by activities and or presence of non-profit organizations in the society. Impacts of Non-Profit Organizations to the Community: A Reflection on how Life has been touched by Non-Profit Organizations Sheppard and Oehler (2009) posit that non-profit organizations bring awareness to infrequent and or otherwise neglected issues, problems and causes within the society at large.

In a society, many social, health and or financial problems are evident and most are rarely addressed by the relevant local authorities. Non-profit organizations are often at hand to address such abandoned people hence restoring some sense of hope to those suffering from such problems. In addition, most non-profit organizations provide job training services to the untrained members of the society as well as to those seeking further development. These services are made available to the people with ease which helps improve the community’s character and quality.

The economies associated with these organizations on average stretch less funds from the private sector, the public sector and the foundation itself via reduced costs of operations for the organizations existing in a given location (Tess, 2003). Consequently, Tess (2003) reveals that the centers are able to serve more people as well as provide increased services hence impacting more people. With continued growth and development come increased investments into new infrastructure in the community thus expanding the impact of the organization.

Most non-profit organizations develop centers in economically distressed areas. According to Shaffer, Deller and Marcouiller (2004), the presence of new infrastructure in these areas results in the development of new property, renovation of property, establishment of new business ventures, expansion of current business organizations as well as increased investment in public amenities and infrastructure. The availability of these entities requires management forces and as such many community members are recruited into these business entities as a form of employment and source of income (Yurenka, 2007).

The society at large has its benefits to boast of from the existence of non-profit organizations. Some centers and organizations residing in them may change or rather alter policies and civic environment for their respective field(s) (Tess, 2003). Furthermore, many organizations contribute to the environment improvement via engagement in a variety of green practices such as creation of green buildings. Through creation of room for the engagement of the public and collaboration, these organizations have the ability to ignite novel innovative ideas, catalyze organization and advocacy, as well as lead to direct changes in policies and or practices with a benefit to the community at large (Sheppard, Oehler, Benjamin and Kessler, 2006).

A suitable example is where art centers have taken center stage of creative economies in the society at large thus strengthening the cultural community as well as building and or developing the creative skills of the community (Americans, 2007).Summary The table below sums up the major impacts of non-profit organizations to the community.Impact TypeRange of ImpactsPeopleLarge number of people served as a result of increased access.Development of human capital via the participation in voluntary center activities.

Better outcomes as a result of improved service provision and referrals. PlaceThe surrounding area is invigorated.Through investments in social amenities, the quality of life is improved.Increased business revenues for resident retailers.The financial status of the community is positively-altered thanks to the augmenting number of business organizations attracted by the centers. Community/SocietyNew approaches, strategies and approaches are developed that are beneficial to the society.Improvement of the environment via encouragement of sustainable development and environmental awareness campaigns.

Increased public involvement as well as social capital.Field building, creation and development of knowledge thus improving the character and the quality of the community. ReferencesAmericans for the Arts. (2007). Arts and economic prosperity iii: the economic impact of nonprofit arts and culture organizations and their audiences. Shaffer, R. E., Deller, S. C., & Marcouiller, D. (2004). Community economics: Linking theory and practice. Oxford: Blackwell Professional Publishing.Sheppard, S., & Oehler, K. (2009). The Economic impact of nonprofit organizations in Berkshire County.

A report commissioned by the Berkshire County Chamber of Commerce. Retrieved April 4, 2013 from http://www.berkshirereb.org/pdfs/1256775062.pdfSheppard, S., Oehler, K., Benjamin, B., & Kessler, A. (2006) Culture and revitalization: The economic impact of MASS MoCA on its community.Tess, C. T. (2003). What are the benefits of a non-profit network? Retrieved April 4, 2013 from http://www.wisegeek.com/what-are-the-benefits-of-a-non-profit-network.htmYurenka, D. (2007). Growth in the nonprofit sector and competition for funding.

University of Chicago. Retrieved April 4, 2013 from http://economics.uchicago.edu/yurenka_nonprofit.pdf