Nonprofits in Idaho have revenues of nearly $4 billion, assets of nearly $9 billion, employ more than 48,000 people and pay $2.1 billion in annual salary and benefits. A new study by the Idaho Nonprofit Center also shows nonprofits create between $117 million and $175 million a year in tax revenue and bring in nearly $2 billion from out-of-state sources.

The report, “Economic Impacts of Idaho’s Nonprofit Organizations,” was commissioned by the Idaho Nonprofit Center. Written by University of Idaho economist Steven Peterson, it calculated the effects of the state’s nearly 4,800 nonprofit organizations.

“People think of the good works that we do, the programs and services we provide, but are really not thinking about the fact that we are significant employers, significant taxpayers,” said Lynn Hoffman, the Idaho Nonprofit Center’s executive director. “We are significant contributors to Gross State Product.”

Hoffman said she hopes the report paves the way for more collaboration between business sectors, along with the understanding that nonprofits are strong contributors to Idaho’s economy.

“I think that all three sectors – the private sector, public sector and nonprofit sector – need to be working together so that we are improving our communities,” she said.

The report also found that 400,000 Idahoans volunteer 60 million hours each year, which is worth more than $1 billion. Idaho ranks third nationally for volunteer hours.

The full report and a summary are online at www.idahononprofits.org.

If you’ve volunteered at The Idaho Foodbank on a Tuesday afternoon, then you have more than likely met Rob Smiley. Rob and his family have been weekly volunteers since January 2011. In addition to his Tuesday shift, Rob has participated in Stamp Out Hunger, Scouting for Food and Hunger Bowl – the food drive trifecta!

Rob made the mistake of telling our volunteer coordinator that he would help with “whatever.” In that capacity he has written news stories for our website, become involved with recruiting new volunteers and most recently acted as a guest speaker on behalf of the Foodbank for Lowell Scott Middle School’s Life Skills program.

This dedication would be impressive in any volunteer, but Rob is one of our teen volunteers! Rob graduated from Centennial High School last weekend and will leave this fall for Utah State University. Thanks in part to his volunteer activities, Rob was named a Huntsman Scholar and will pursue a dual major in engineering and business.

Congratulations, Rob! Your friends at The Idaho Foodbank wish you the best of luck in your college career.