In an economy still reeling from the Great Recession, some nonprofit senior living communities are facing increased scrutiny regarding their tax-exempt status.
“Nonprofits are coming into the spotlight,” said Nikki Rineer, president of research company Holleran during a recent webinar with Mather LifeWays titled “Community Outreach Tips and Tactics for Today’s Nonprofit.” Adding to the pressure, Rineer says, some municipalities hit by hard economic times argue the government cannot afford what amounts to a subsidy worth billions of dollars every year.
“A lot of leadership staff will say, ‘We’re giving so much in benevolent care, surely that shows we have an impact,’” Rineer said. “But on the other side of that, how many residents does that actually impact? And, were those residents from the local community or did they move from another state?”
While receiving nonprofit status stipulates various degrees of ongoing care for residents regardless of ability to pay and community service activities, nonprofit providers are going beyond what’s required to show their value and create partnerships that will benefit the rapidly growing senior demographic.
Nonprofit Mather LifeWays identified a lack of resources for seniors surrounding its Evanston, Ill.-based continuing care retirement community (CCRC) who were choosing to age in place.