The New Nonprofit Almanac & Desk Reference
The New Nonprofit Almanac and Desk Reference: The Essential Facts and Figures for Managers, Researchers, and Volunteers

By Murray S. Weitzman and Nadine T. Jalandoni of Independent Sector and Linda M. Lampkin and Thomas H. Pollak of Urban Institute.

Published by Jossey-Bass, 2002.

This is an 8.5" by 11" paperback running to 247 pages including the appendices and index, plus a list of tables, list of figures, a foreword, an introductions, acknowledgements, and an overview and executive summary.

This book is a compilation of data, from a variety of sources, about the nonprofit or independent sector of the economy. ("Nonprofit sector" and "independent sector" are roughly synonymous terms, but one difference seems to be that "independent sector" clearly includes religious organizations.)

The book is divided into five chapters. Chapter One talks about the size and scope of the independent sector in the US economy, including things like employment figures, economic value of volunteer work, and number of organizations. Chapter Two talks about paid employment, including information on the number of employees by subsector, what they earn, demographic information and employment trends. Chapter Three talks about private philanthropy, including on overview of how much is given by individuals, foundations, and corporations; and giving trends in relation to changes in tax law. Chapter Four estimates revenue from private giving, government payments, private payments (dues, fees, etc.), and investment income, and also estimates how these funds are used. Chapter five presents tables having to do with tax filings by 501(c)(3) organizations, broken down by state and region. Additionally there are four appendices: the National Taxonomy of Exempt Entities classification system (simplified); notes on methodologies used in arriving at the estimates included in the book; a web directory for organizations with information on the nonprofit sector; and a glossary.

This is a useful book for people studying economics and policies that relate to nonprofits, as well as some people in nonprofit management.