By Amy Miller, Michigan

LANSING, Mich. – Looking for a job? Think nonprofit. A study out of Johns Hopkins University found employment in Michigan’s not-for-profit world actually grew 2.6 percent between the second quarter of 2007 and the second quarter of 2009, the worst part of the recent recession. This, while for-profit employment across the state fell by nearly 13 percent.

The study’s author is Lester Salamon, director, Johns Hopkins Center for Civil Society Studies.

“This was a rare bright spot in the overall employment picture of the country. Nonprofit employment was actually growing during the recession.”

The report shows that the largest job growth in Michigan’s nonprofit sector is in education and health care. Kyle Caldwell, president of Michigan Nonprofit Association, explains that Michigan is somewhat unique because many health care facilities are nonprofit.

“Those growth areas are going to increase not only the number of people who are working but also put on pressure to increase wages in order for them to remain competitive and bring great talent to Michigan.”

One in 10 jobs in Michigan is tied to a nonprofit organization. The report attributes some of the job growth to the Obama administration’s stimulus program.

The report is available at www.ccss.jhu.edu.