SUNUP: State of Utah Nonprofit Understanding Project

Services

Strategic Planning, Community Relations, Revenue Diversification

Client

Utah Nonprofits Association

Objectives

To establish importance of nonprofit sector in minds of elected officials, provide certainty about the size and impact of the nonprofit sector and build support for a statewide professional association. Response in the face of periodic state legislative review process for nonprofit tax exemptions.

Barriers

Unprecedented nature of task, absence of client staff and funding.

Stakeholders

Large nonprofits, governor and legislative staff, state agencies, association members.

Strategy and Activities

Consultant left client board to lead project. A legislative study item was created to allow item for consideration between general sessions. Funds for project were raised within nonprofit community. Research identified multiple overlapping state and federal databases containing nonprofit information. A searchable database was programmed. A commercial director company was enticed to advance funds and publish first hard copy directory of 501 (c)(3) organizations in Utah. A first study of economic impact of nonprofit sector statewide was commissioned and produced.

Revenue Generated

Approximately $60,000 from local sources and commercial directory company.

Outcomes

First demographic analysis, searchable directory and economic study of Utah's nonprofit community created. State legislature took no adverse action concerning the sector the following general session. Credibility of association created membership growth and hiring of staff within two years.