So How Big IS the Nonprofit sector in Kansas City?

You'll recall that a few weeks ago, I blogged about a report released by the Greater Kansas City Community Foundation on giving in our area. But what organizations are the beneficiaries of that generosity? While many people give to organizations far and abroad, a lot of Kansas City's charitable contributions stay here at home. And there are many organizations in need. A report from the Midwest Center on Nonprofit Leadership gives us the details about our local nonprofit sector and where donations to local charities go. Here are a few interesting tidbits from the report.

*In 2008, the Kansas City metro area had 8010 public charities. This number does not include an estimated 1500 religious congregations.

*59% of KC's charitable organization have revenues of less than $25,000 annually. That's 4700 charities working with very tiny budgets.

*Health charites account for only 10% of the total number of charitable organizations in our area, but bring in more than half of all the revenues in the local nonprofit sector.

*Human Service organizations (food banks, domestic violence shelters, etc.) account for 25% of the charities in our area, but receive only 10% of revenues.

The Kansas City BBB's Charity Review program evaluates organizations with more the $25,000 in revenues according to the Charity Accountability Standards. To see a growing list of local charity reports click here. If you would like to see your favorite charity listed with us, email me at charityreview@kansascity.bbb.org.