While Nanaimo's non-profit organizations provide demonstrable value, work needs to be done to sustain them. (Ian Holmes/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By Ian Holmes

non-profit study

Nanaimo non-profit economic study demonstrates sector’s value, work ongoing to address challenges

Mar 3, 2025 | 5:36 AM

NANAIMO — Often operating under the radar and on shoestring budgets, not-for profit organizations aren’t typically viewed as key economic drivers.

To that end, the City of Nanaimo ventured to find out more about the economic and social values non-profit agencies have locally.

The report tabled last fall by consultant firm Nordicity measured key metrics from 2023, showing the sector generated $67.5 million in direct economic activity in Nanaimo, supported 840 full time jobs and generated $53 million in wages.

Championed by City of Nanaimo economic development officer Amrit Manhas with guidance from a steering committee, she said the results exceeded her expectations.

“We knew that it was an important sector in our economy, but we really didn’t understand the size, the impact or the scope of the sector. We wanted to have that information so that this sector could certainly advocate for itself better.”

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Manhas noted the City of Nanaimo invested $6 million in grants and subsidies to the local non-profit sector in 2023, pointing out their contributions helped unleash a ten-fold return on their investment.

“I think that’s really impactful for the City itself to see that the dollars that they’re spending are being leveraged so much more. I think it’s great for the sector to see that as well the funders to see how their dollars are being spent.”

Aside from its economic impact, Manhas said the report “brings the hidden sector to the forefront” in terms of how non-profits are entrenched into the fabric of the community.

On top of economic metrics, Manhas said the study underscored the value Nanaimo’s non-profit organizations had on the fabric of the community.

The study highlighted the importance of helping marginalized, vulnerable people, whether it be through mental, physical, social or financial well-being.

Eighty per cent of Nanaimo’s nearly 200 non-profit organizations are led by women, the study showed.

Manhas hopes the study can be repeated in three to five years to measure progress and better capture emerging trends involving Nanaimo’s non-profit ecosystem.

“It’s not just a moral imperative; it’s smart economic strategy that supports a healthier and more resilient Nanaimo,” Manhas told NanaimoNewsNOW.

City of Nanaimo economic development officer Amrit Manhas (submitted photo)

Funding from Island Coastal Economic Trust helped pay for the study, which saw about a quarter of Nanaimo’s 193 non-profit organizations participate.

Critical challenges facing Nanaimo’s non-profits, according to the report, included funding accessibility, availability and sustainability.

Manhas said a “foundational piece” to build on the report is ongoing work by a Greater Nanaimo Chamber of Commerce steering committee.

The Community Impact Committee (CIC) chaired by Janice Krall, is focused on fostering cross-sector partnerships and exploring innovative ways to help improve the sustainability of Nanamo’s non-profit organizations.

Krall said the economic impact study and its data metrics can be used as a catalyst to better support non-profits.

“It’s educating the community and being able to leverage grant money, and other business opportunities and partnerships,” Krall told NanaimoNewsNOW.

Krall said from a sustainability perspective, some solutions need to come from within, pointing to the need for non-profit organizations to be innovative to become more sustainable.

She noted the CIC group has grown from 15 to over 60 people over the past couple of years, which includes Nanaimo non-profit agencies.

Krall said they intend to form a strategic plan to help guide Nanaimo’s non-profit organizations to a more sustainable future.

“Part of that is letting go of ego, letting go of territory and instead of thinking ‘What’s best for us?’ and thinking instead of ‘What’s best for community’ and us as a whole.”

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