If you scan the landscape of nonprofits in America today, there is little question these organizations are bedrocks for their communities. However, while nonprofits are often recognized for their mission-based achievements and results, their economic impact as dynamic businesses in local communities is often overlooked.

We address problems that occur when capitalism fails and challenge systemic barriers to success that impact individuals and their communities. Many nonprofits confront issues that the government can't solve to fulfill our missions of creating safe, stable and thriving environments for individuals, families and communities.

In every state, nonprofits are high-impact employers, significantly contributing to the American economy. Nationally, nonprofits employ more than 10% of the workforce. In Illinois, where I reside and work, 11.3% of the private workforce is employed by nonprofits. What's more, the nonprofit sector contributed an estimated $985.4 billion to the United States economy in 2015 -- a sizable 5.4% of the country’s gross domestic product.

Read the full article about nonprofits' impact by Laura Zumdahl at Forbes.