Region’s nonprofits also employers with power of 33,000 workers
When people think about nonprofits, they often picture food pantries, community fundraisers and volunteers serving meals.
What they don’t always see is one of Northwest Indiana’s greatest economic engines.
“Nonprofits are a much larger part of the regional economy than many people realize,” said Kelly Anoe, president and CEO of Merrillville-based Legacy Foundation. “They employ thousands of people, purchase goods and services from local businesses, occupy office and facility space, and attract funding from outside the Region into our communities.”
According to the Indiana Nonprofits Project, nonprofits in 2019 employed approximately 33,000 workers — about 11% of all paid employment in the Region — and generated $1.5 billion in payroll. Those numbers tell an important economic story.
“Nonprofits are often viewed through the services they provide, but they are also employers creating meaningful career opportunities,” Anoe said. “Professionals in fields like finance, marketing, communications, technology and fundraising can build rewarding careers while seeing the direct impact of their work in the communities they serve.”
The nonprofit sector blends business with community purpose, creating financially significant organizations deeply rooted in improving quality of life.
“Nonprofits can play a vital role in the regional economy by acting as a connector among the many groups that drive our workforce — employers, job seekers, education and training providers, community organizations, and other partners who have a stake in fostering sustainable, healthy communities,” said Lisa Daugherty, president and CEO of Gary-based Center of Workforce Innovations. “By strengthening those relationships and aligning resources around shared outcomes, we help build the skilled workforce employers need to grow while contributing to Northwest Indiana’s long-term economic competitiveness and resilience.”
Beyond charity
For Northwest Indiana, nonprofits are far more than charitable organizations.
They are employers, workforce developers, investors and economic anchors. Their economic influence extends across virtually every industry.
“The nonprofit sector is charitable, but it is also an important part of our economic infrastructure,” Anoe said. “Both roles can coexist.”
Nonprofits employ physicians and accountants to marketers and IT professionals. Large health systems function much like major corporations. Community foundations manage hundreds of millions of dollars in charitable assets. Museums oversee facilities, programming and tourism initiatives.
Opportunity Enterprises, for example, supports individuals with disabilities, many of whom find jobs with small businesses. The nonprofit also employs 400 people.
“Nonprofits are an investment in the community,” said Neil Samahon, president and CEO of Valparaiso-based Opportunity Enterprises. “The money that comes into these organizations, also comes back out. … We put a lot of money back into the community in wages and payroll.”
Every paycheck issued by a nonprofit circulates through the regional economy. Employees purchase homes, dine at restaurants, buy groceries, support local retailers and pay taxes. Construction projects generate work. Grants awarded by foundations help launch workforce initiatives and economic development projects.
“If we stop at how nonprofits benefit the homeless, displaced persons, individuals with disabilities or whatever population they’re serving, we miss half the story,” Samahon said. “If we carry it a step forward, we can see these nonprofits are all not only good at the human level, but they also benefit the economy.”
The organization also supports parents and helps keep their children in the workforce. Robust support services draw people into communities across the Region. These individuals contribute to the local economy through their employment and purchasing power.
“When we speak in economic terms, we need to include nonprofits in the conversation,” Samahon said. “Having a good network of nonprofits is like icing on the cake — it shows Northwest Indiana is a vibrant place to do business, move and grow.”
Career pathways
One of the nonprofit sector’s greatest strengths is its ability to introduce young people to the workforce.
“Nonprofits are uniquely positioned, because we can meet young people where they are, at whatever stage of their career-exploration journey,” Daugherty said. “The goal isn’t simply to help someone find their first job; it’s to help them understand career pathways, build skills, gain work-based learning experiences, and develop relationships that can support their long-term success.”
Organizations such as the YMCA have long served as an entry point for teenagers seeking their first jobs. Whether supervising summer camps, assisting with youth programs or working as lifeguards, many employees begin learning workplace expectations while still in high school.
An early experience shaped Payton Summers’ career. She now serves as a family resource specialist at Opportunity Enterprises.
“I’ve known the path I wanted to pursue since high school, where I was a peer tutor and first discovered how much I enjoyed working within the disability population,” Summers said. “That experience made me want to work in a field where I could support individuals and families and make a meaningful difference in their lives.”
Young people gain valuable experience through internships, seasonal employment, volunteer leadership programs and part-time positions. Other organizations host college interns who gain experience in marketing, communications and nonprofit management.
These opportunities teach skills that remain valuable throughout a person’s career.
“Because nonprofit teams are often collaborative, interns and entry-level employees frequently work directly with senior leaders, board members, donors, community partners and elected officials,” Anoe said. “Nonprofit staff often wear multiple hats, so young employees get the opportunity to contribute to meaningful work while learning professional skills.”
Many nonprofit leaders can point to former teenage employees who eventually became teachers, health care professionals, nonprofit executives, entrepreneurs or civic leaders after gaining their first workplace experience through mission-driven organizations. These individual journeys illustrate the long-term return that nonprofits generate through mentorship.
“The nonprofit sector is made up of a multigenerational workforce, including emerging professionals who are just beginning their careers and seasoned professionals with decades of experience and community knowledge,” Anoe said. “This diversity of perspectives, experiences and ages fosters a strong culture of shared knowledge and collaboration.”
Nonprofit giants
Although patients experience healthcare nonprofits primarily during doctor’s appointments, these institutions also function as anchors of regional economic stability.
“In the healthcare industry, nonprofit organizations serve a dual purpose,” said Donald Fesko, Powers Health president and CEO. “They provide vital care and services while also creating meaningful employment opportunities. Careers in nonprofit healthcare often come with a strong sense of mission, giving employees the chance to contribute to the health and well-being of their neighbors.”
Hospitals and health systems employ thousands of physicians, nurses, therapists, technicians, pharmacists and support staff. Powers Health, for example, employs nearly 9,000 individuals.
The ripple effects are enormous. Healthcare employees purchase homes, support local businesses, and contribute to municipal tax bases through property ownership and consumer spending. Large hospital construction projects generate work for regional contractors and suppliers, while ongoing purchasing supports countless local vendors.
These organizations often partner with local schools, colleges and universities to develop talent pipelines in nursing, medical technology and allied health professions. Powers Health offers local teens opportunities to gain their first healthcare experience through volunteer programs, patient-support roles and mentorship opportunities. These programs, along with internships, residency programs and tuition assistance, help develop the next generation of healthcare workers while encouraging graduates to remain in the Region.
“Since Powers Health’s mission is centered on community well-being, it can focus on creating pathways for young people to explore meaningful healthcare careers while remaining connected to the communities they serve,” Fesko said. “This dual commitment to community health and workforce development allows Powers Health to make a lasting impact, not only by caring for patients today, but by preparing the healthcare leaders of tomorrow.”
Mission oriented
Many nonprofit employees describe their work as meaningful in ways that extend beyond compensation.
“Working for a nonprofit gives you an opportunity to become part of the community you serve, rather than simply providing a service to it,” Daugherty said.
Many workers also value knowing their efforts improve lives every day. That sense of mission often contributes to higher engagement and long-term commitment. Employees frequently report stronger connections with coworkers, volunteers and community members because everyone shares a common purpose.
“We’re seeing more youth looking for job opportunities that impact their environment — either bringing value to another human being or literally the environment,” Samahon said. “They are seeking service-minded, mission-oriented opportunities.”
Claudia Pena grew up in East Chicago. After seeing the real needs around her, Pena felt a pull to give back to her community. She took a job as communications manager at CoAction, a Crown Point-based nonprofit that helps residents experiencing financial hardship.
“CoAction served over 35,000 people each year, and working there helped me gain a clear, grounded understanding of the needs and service gaps across Northwest Indiana,” Pena said. “Seeing that direct impact every day fueled my passion for nonprofit work and reinforced my commitment to this field.”
In March, Pena joined the Legacy Foundation as development and marketing manager.
“I love being actively involved in driving real change in my community,” Pena said. “It’s incredibly rewarding to work behind the scenes, contribute to practical solutions, and help shape initiatives that directly improve lives across Lake County.”
Multiplier effect
Every nonprofit employee supports other businesses by spending their earnings and creating demand for housing, retail, entertainment and professional services. Every successful youth mentoring program develops future employees for regional companies.
Economists describe this as the multiplier effect — the idea that one dollar spent generates additional rounds of economic activity throughout the community.
The result is a regional economy that is stronger because nonprofits exist.
“When nonprofits are strong, they create jobs, strengthen neighborhoods, improve quality of life, and help make our communities places where people want to live, work and invest,” Anoe said.
Most importantly, nonprofits are institutions that prove the strongest economies are built not only on commerce but also on community. Every paycheck they issue, every career they launch, and every life they change reinforces the idea that doing good and driving economic prosperity can go hand in hand.
“My connection to the community is at the center of everything I do,” Summers said. “Working for a nonprofit has allowed me to build relationships with families, community organizations and professions, but even more importantly, I get to see firsthand what can happen when a community comes together. Those connections are what make this work so meaningful and continue to drive me in my career.” •
Read more stories from the current issue of Northwest Indiana Business Magazine.
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Building city of readers
Project beyond imagination
Called home for seniors
Creative economy
Keys to Hoosier tax haven
Steel support system
Growing legal opportunities
Professional advancement
