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No Non-Profits Without Profits

November 2007

Non-profit organizations play an integral role in American society. Hundreds of thousands of non-profit organizations operate throughout the United States. The U.S. tax code section governing non-profit organizations lists 27 different types of non-profits for tax purposes. These organizations run the gamut from social welfare, educational, religious, artistic and scientific groups, to “business leagues” (chambers of commerce) and labor unions, and many others. They provide, in different ways, a vital community-support function that has become an integral part of the social fabric of America, often delivering more direct, economically-efficient services to those in need than do expensive, report-laden government programs.

In a wealthy country such as ours, we often take this sophisticated network of non-profit organizations for granted. But we should all remember that it would be impossible for the non-profit sector to exist without profits. Strong companies generating profits – money left over after all salaries, taxes, utility bills, raw material purchases, rents and many other expenses are paid – are the lifeblood of the non-profit world. Creating an economic climate that promotes and facilitates this profitability and job creation should be at the forefront of everyone’s agenda, regardless of your political affiliation or philosophy.

Non-profit organizations play a vital part in making Emeryville the vibrant city it is today. The Emery Ed Fund, Emeryville Community Action Program, and the Emeryville Celebration of the Arts are three of the notable Emeryville-based non-profit organizations that the business community is proud to support and who play a critical role in making Emeryville a special place.

This fact was perhaps best brought home in October during the 21st Annual Emeryville Art Exhibition. This is Emeryville’s oldest and largest community-wide event and a symbol of civic pride and progress. Yet as hard as the strong corps of volunteers work on the Exhibition, the fact is the event would be impossible without the generous contributions from the business community, profit-generating sector of our City. There is currently no permanent home for the Exhibition, and each year Sharon Wilchar and her volunteers scour the City for a suitable location, and once again the business community came through. Wareham Development generously donated the space for the Exhibition in the beautiful new EmeryStation East Building at 5885 Hollis Street, at least the second time in recent years that Wareham has come through for the artists. [See related story on Page 1].

But business support for the arts does not stop there. Literally dozens of local businesses, such as IKEA, Ruby*s Café, BRE Properties, TMG Partners, the Oaks Card Club, Quadric Group, All Emeryville Properties, the Townhouse Restaurant, Courtyard by Marriott and dozens of others contributed cash or valuable in-kind contributions, and this list is only a small percentage of the many generous business donors who made the event possible.

Businesses in Emeryville have demonstrated their generosity many times over, and continue to do so. They recognize the importance of giving extra to the community in which they do business, and why these partnerships are so vitally important.

Remember this the next time you request a donation from a business for your favorite cause. You can’t distribute wealth that isn’t there. Our civic, government and business leaders need to do all we can to ensure that Emeryville remains a City that welcomes business, investment, jobs and profits – so that our strong non-profit sector can remain just that: strong, and thriving.

Our congratulations to Sharon Wilchar and her team of volunteers for an outstanding job on this year’s Art Exhibition. The business community looks forward to working with you on the 22nd Annual Exhibition in 2008.