TRENTON – The Senate Community and Urban Affairs Committee advanced a bill sponsored by Senator Angela McKnight that would designate August 17^th as “Nonprofit Day” in New Jersey.

“Nonprofit organizations crucially support marginalized and vulnerable communities statewide in areas like food assistance, healthcare, and education, vitally contributing to these communities’ well-being and resilience,” said Senator McKnight (D-Hudson). “New Jersey is home to over 40,000 nonprofits that provide over 225 million hours of service annually, showing just how large of an impact nonprofits have in our state. This day would honor their service and dedication to improving people’s lives and bring broader awareness to the important causes nonprofits support.”

The bill, SJR-96, aims to honor the work of nonprofits and their volunteers, as well as align New Jersey with a broader national movement.

August 17^th is already designated as “Nonprofit Day” across the United States, and a state dedication of the day would be consistent with a national movement.

The nonprofit sector in New Jersey is estimated to generate $5.3 billion per year and makes up about 10 percent of New Jersey’s private sector, underscoring the economic and social value of nonprofit work within the state.

Nonprofits heavily rely on donations and volunteer work for their day-to-day operations, so a “Nonprofit Day” could contribute significantly to nonprofit functions by raising awareness among the public.

Dedicating a day to nonprofit work would acknowledge nonprofit impact, honor the dedication of volunteers and nonprofit workers, and affirm New Jersey’s support for the nonprofit sector in areas such as health, equity, and community sustainability.