PEORIA MAGAZINE May 2022

LEVERAGING GOVERNMENT INVESTMENT Human Services Funding Sources Over $121 million flowed into the sector from government sources in FY2021, exceeding the combined total assets from all other revenue streams. $ $ 53.8% Federal, State, and Local Government Funding 46.2% All Other Funding Sources P r i v a t e f und i ng l e ve r a ge s government dollars to our economy. Both income sources are essential. Yet the requests for assistance from the human services sector are far greater than the dollars available. When the community invests in human services, more “outside dol lars” become available. “Public funds support the common good, and thehuman service sector uses those funds efficiently and effectively,” said Kim Cornwell, president and CEO of EP!C. “Private contributions and charitable support cannot replace these public funds.” MAXIMIZING THE IMPACT The Human Services Collaborative is a joint effort of dozens of local health and human services organizations that collectively work to promote the sector as an essential local employer, investor and spender. The 2021 economic impact study proves that every dollar invested in human services produces a strong return to the region’s broader economic well-being. As a significant contributor to the gross domestic product of central Illi nois, the Human Services Collaborative is and should be an essential part of community decision-making for the betterment of all. For more information visit: humanservicescollaborative.com or the individual websites of its agency members.

“Our staff are valuable assets to the local economy,” concluded Jeannine McAllister, executive director of Advo cates forAccess. “Weboost theworkforce numbers and raise the professionalism of that workforce.”

Human service organizations often are the recipients of donated supplies, furnishings and expertise, which stretch their budgets. “Our volunteers are highly trained pilots who use their unique skill to fly people with medical needs far from home,” said Lindsey Kerr, executive director of Lifeline Pilots. “Our local pilots donated $94,000 of in-kind flight costs to fly 37 flights for people in Peoria this last year, which literally helps to ‘fuel’ our economy.” A SUBSTANTIAL ECONOMIC RIPPLE EFFECT In FY2021, human services had a total economic output of $400,401,436, or 1.7% of the Tri-County Region’s $23.5 billion GDP. $ $400,401,436 “I think the community needs to understand that we are a part of the economic well-being of the area and that we are not just ‘there with our hand out’,” said Patti Gratton, executive director of Community Workshop & Training Center Inc. Human service organizations help build a better workforce for the whole community. More people in the community are employed and therefore more money is spent in the community. Additionally, many human service organizations train persons with disabilities to enter the workforce. When people with personal challenges find greater stability, that results in more productive employees for all businesses. Finally, the organizations themselves buy supplies, insurance, equipment and services, which adds to the general economy. “Human services are a key part of the regional economy and should be at every table when policy is discussed and key decisions are made,” said Runyon. Economic Output

A GREAT RETURN ON INVESTMENT Return on Investment in Human Services

$ $ $ $ $

$

$

$ $1.00 $1.77

For every $1.00 of funding received, the health and human services sector returned a total of $1.77 of economic impact to the Peoria/Tri-County Region in FY2021.

The human service sector “is a great investment,” said Jim Runyon, interim executive director of The Autism Collective. “We not only support the quality of life in the community, but every dollar given, earned, or raised … returns almost another dollar in real investment in the wider community.” Given the high demand for their services and meager budgets, human service leaders squeeze the most out of every dollar. No organization wants to turn anyone away who comes to its door. Volunteers play an important role in the missions of most non profit organizations. They provide governance on boards and committees, fundraise, provide on-call emergency back-up, do spring and fall grounds clean-up, etc.

Jeannine McAllister, executive director of Advocates for Access

Jim Runyon, interim executive director of The Autism Collective

MAY 2022 P EORIA MAGAZINE 69