A Day, A Community Without Nonprofits
Introduction
Nonprofit organizations play an indispensable role in sustaining the well-being and vitality of San Joaquin County (SJC). These organizations are not only providers of essential services, but they are also economic engines, community builders, major employers and, in many cases, the longest-standing institutions within the region. But what happens if these nonprofits disappear? What would their absence mean for the county?
For decades, nonprofits have formed the backbone of the critical social infrastructure that supports individuals and families across SJC. They stepped up in an unprecedented way during the pandemic and haven’t slowed down since. They drive substantial economic activity: contributing $990 million to the county’s economy – or about 3% of the county’s gross domestic product – and support over 20,000 full- and part-time jobs.1 Above all however, their contributions extend beyond direct services: they foster stability, create opportunity, and uphold the social fabric of our communities.
Take, for example, The Emergency Food Bank of Stockton. Founded in 1968, it is the largest direct provider of emergency food assistance in San Joaquin County, distributing over seven million pounds of food to over 275,000 individuals in 2024.2 During the pandemic, the nonprofit immediately adjusted its model for servicing the community by offering “Touchless Tailgate” deliveries and “Pop-Up Pantries” at church sites and homeless encampments. Through these efforts, they helped to ensure that thousands of individuals and families continued to receive essential support during a time of unprecedented need. The Emergency Food Bank is just one of nearly two thousand nonprofits in the county serving its community.
This brief explores the essential role nonprofits play and the importance of sustaining investment in San Joaquin County’s nonprofit sector. Amid unprecedented, short-sighted reductions in federal funding, the timing of this brief is especially significant. Reductions or delays in support threaten the continuity of vital services, making it more important than ever for the local community to understand, support, and invest in the sector. This report highlights the role nonprofits play in their communities, the consequences of a diminished nonprofit sector, and finally, it outlines steps that donors, policymakers, and community stakeholders can take to ensure the sector remains strong, sustainable, and ready to meet future challenges.
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