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COPYRIGHT 2005 Home News Tribune
Byline: Ken Tarbous
Mar. 27--You might be surprised to learn nonprofit organizations are a multibillion-dollar sector of the Garden State's economy.
In 2001, New Jersey's 24,000 charitable organizations had more than $44 billion in assets, and $31 billion in income, with operating expenses at more than $23 billion, according to the North Brunswick-based Center for Non-Profit Corporations.
"Most people when they think of nonprofits they are thinking of the tax designation 501(c)3, those are the organizations to which you can donate and deduct your gifts from your income tax if you itemize," Linda M. Czipo, the center's executive director, said.
The sector is very broad, she said, with subsets such as affordable housing, arts, education, environmental protection, health, and social services.
In New Jersey, faith-based initiatives originate in the various religious institutions.
These groups are subject to the same laws and regulations as secular nonprofit organizations, including refraining from proselytizing and agreeing to follow nondiscrimination rules, Czipo said.
"Many houses of worship have chosen to add on that kind of service activity in addition to the religious component," she added.
The Woodbridge Interfaith Hospitality Network is a 5-year-old nonprofit helping to provide food and temporary shelter to homeless women and families at area churches.
"Our challenge is to grow the network," Ed Benkert, co-president of the organization, said. "It's a matter of getting the word out."
Network churches provide different levels of support, from taking in homeless people for nights or days to preparing meals or donating funds. Volunteers buy food and cook and serve meals at the local churches that open their doors to...
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