Social Services

Jessica Noll

ENH 394

March 2, 2009

Industry Analysis Project

Industry Analysis: Social Services

Industry History

The nonprofit social services industry is made up of countless organizations, such as the Red Cross, Goodwill, the Salvation Army, and Boys and Girls Clubs of America, all of which aid millions of people in need and have gained support by not only the government but by corporations, foundation, and individuals (O’Neill 73). However, the social services sub sector began small; it was not until the 1930’s and 1940’s that the federal government began to play a recognizable role in the industry and this was a result of the overwhelming need for assistance after the Great Depression and World War II (O’Neill 82). But even before that, it is thought that religion and urbanization played a particular role in the creation and development of nonprofit organizations. O’Neill briefly touches on this subject in an early chapter; he suggests that religious diversity let to voluntary associations, such as Benjamin Franklin’s volunteer fire department, hospital, and library. And later discussed how technological advances prompted the nonprofit sector to grow.

All in all, the industry has continued to grow and improve through out the years and I strongly believe it will only continue to do so. With such a large amount of growth and improvements over the years, it is clear that the future possibilities are endless.

Scope and Impact of this Industry

The social services industry is the largest sub sector of the nonprofit with anywhere from 300,000 to 5 million organizations, depending on how one defines the segment (Course Reader 41). In my opinion, the social service industry is the most well know and most accepted subsector of the nonprofit sector; most people will agree that helping those in need is a necessary and influential part of everyday life. And without the development and growth of this particular subsector people would be suffering...