National Nonprofit Day

National Nonprofit Day is celebrated annually on August 17th. This is a day that recognizes the goals and positive impacts that nonprofits have had on the different communities around the world. National Nonprofit Day also exists to appreciate all nonprofit workers as well as to encourage giving to charity organizations that mean a lot to you. Nonprofits are organizations that exist for reasons other than to make a profit, such as charitable, educational, or service organizations. Nonprofit organizations are critical to our country. They provide many services that might not otherwise be available through government programs. A non-profit agency produces large amounts of benefits for community members as well as people all around the world. For example, following the recent U.S. recession in 2012, the nonprofit sector provided 5.4% of the nation’s entire GDP (Gross Domestic Product), or $887.3 billion. Nonprofits have continuously employed nurses, social workers, web developers, lawyers, computer engineers, and many more.

History of National Nonprofit Day

On August 17th, 1894, the Tariff Act was signed and made into law. This made nonprofits and charity organizations exempt from paying federal income taxes. Although there have been a few modifications to the act, these exemptions for charity organizations and nonprofits have remained the same over the years. However, it was not until 2017 when the Registrar at the National Day Calendar declared that National Nonprofit Day would be celebrated each year on August 17th. Sherita J. Herring was the woman who founded National Nonprofit Day. She created this day to educate and empower others to make a difference in the world.

How to Observe this National Holiday:

Educate yourself.
Take the time to understand and appreciate all that nonprofits and charitable organizations do for your community and all around the world.

Donate.
Choose a charity or nonprofit to donate to in your area, or to one that means a lot to you. Interested in making a donation to EVOLVE? Your donation could be matched! Learn more.

Say thank you.
If you know someone who works at a charity or nonprofit organization, make sure to say thank you for everything they do. You can also highlight nonprofits on your social media accounts as a way to say thanks!

EVOLVE Family Services

EVOLVE is just one of many nonprofit organizations in Minnesota. We have operated as a nonprofit since 1977 and continues to grow based on the needs in our community.

EVOLVE works to unite children with families that provide:

• Stability 
• A strong support system, surrounded by others that understand trauma, the needs of children in care, and the value of difference and uniqueness of each child. 
• The ability to advocate for children
• Willingness to learn and seek out opportunities that enhance understanding related to children in care 
• Access to supports and/or being willing to ask for help when needed
• Ability to honor and support the cultural needs of children (race, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, family history)

Interested in learning more about EVOLVE?
Learn about our history, programs, vision, and mission.
Read some of our family stories.
Find out how you can get involved with us!

There are many other nonprofit organizations in our community that do amazing things. This would be a great day to learn who these agencies are and how they support our community. So many individuals are positively impacted by nonprofit organizations; this is just one day to recognize, support, and appreciate all nonprofit organizations.

Author: Samantha Potocnik
Samantha is an intern at EVOLVE and a student at the University of Wisconsin River Falls.

Resources:

https://nationaldaycalendar.com/days-2/national-nonprofit-day-august-17/
https://www.wincalendar.com/Nonprofit-Day
https://www.definitions.net/definition/nonprofit