Executives at Orange County’s largest nonprofits often worried in the past year that the coronavirus would negatively affect their revenue.
It turns out that they rode waves of both generosity and the stock market surge.
The 96 firms on the Business Journal’s annual list of nonprofits reported their combined revenue increased 16% to $2.1 billion for the year ended June 30.
That compares to a 5.3% rise a year ago.
They kept their expenses growing at a slower pace—up 4.8% to $1.6 billion.
OCCF Tops
The Orange County Community Foundation (OCCF) took the No. 1 spot this year, reporting $198.3 million, a 64% increase.
“The majority of our revenue was attributable to contributions by OCCF donors, $106 million, but growth through investment earnings was also a significant contributor, $92 million,” said Shelley Hoss, president and chief executive of OCCF.
Many of the largest nonprofits reported double-digit gains. These include No. 2 Goodwill of Orange County, up 14% to $144.2 million; No. 3 Segerstrom Center for the Arts, up 115% to $109.1 million; No. 8 Meals on Wheels Orange County, up 208% to $58 million; and No. 11 Orange County United Way, up 146% to $46.9 million.
In fact, only one of the top 18 largest nonprofits reported a decline—No. 12 CHOC Foundation fell 31% to $42 million.
The biggest nominal increase in expenses was a 148% jump to $42.8 million at Meals on Wheels.
Others reporting expenses that more than doubled include United Way, up 137% to $47.7 million; No. 23 Age Well Services Inc., up 150% to $17.1 million; and No. 24 Charitable Ventures, up 138% to $22.6 million.
For the second straight year, the coronavirus put a damper on in-person activities, as there were fewer volunteers out in public—a 20.5% decline to 86,174. Last year, the number of volunteers fell 17.5%.
Hence, the number people helped fell 6.6% to 11.4 million.
Paid staff returned to growth, up 1.4% to 12,184, compared with a 2.3% decline a year ago.
On Stage Again
The annual list shows the performing arts sector is starting to recover from the pandemic, which upended the industry.
Percentage wise, the biggest hiring nonprofit was Costa Mesa-based South Coast Repertory, where employment soared 223% to 142. The Irvine Barclay Theatre increased its headcount 165% to 53 while the Segerstrom Center for the Arts rose 98% to 97.
Cash, In-Kind Gifts
The list ranks 96 nonprofits with headquarters or major operations in Orange County and revenue higher than $3 million. This year’s list reflects cash contributions and in-kind goods and services such as volunteering.
In total, 55 nonprofits reported revenue increases while 40 had declines.
OCCF’s Hoss doesn’t anticipate a slowdown in giving, saying its quarter ended Sept. 30 topped $40 million in contributions, its highest ever.
“Our unique role in catalyzing and mobilizing charitable giving to help donors achieve their philanthropic vision while meeting the most critical needs of our community appears to be in increasingly high demand,” Hoss said.
Notables
• The biggest leap in fundraising was 309% to $4.5 million at No. 83 Bowers Museum of Santa Ana. The pandemic had shut down Orange County’s largest museum, which raises revenue through paid admissions. It reported a 257% increase in visitors to 150,000.
• Other nonprofits reporting significant revenue increases include Age Well Senior Services, up 270% to $26 million; Charitable Ventures, up 116% to $25.2 million; No. 29 Families Forward, up 124% to $19.1 million; and No. 30 Alzheimer’s Orange County, up 126% to $19 million.
• Nonprofits reporting significant revenue declines include No. 21 YMCA of Orange County, down 38% to $27.4 million; the Orange Catholic Foundation, off 56% to $11.5 million; the Orange County Council, Boy Scouts of America, down 49% to $6.1 million; and the Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Orange Coast, off 43% to $6.1 million.
