Without doubt not-for-profits in your community are a critical part of the economy and I specifically write to thank and congratulate your not-for-profits for their amazing and tireless work.

We need to be hearing more about the great work so many of these organisations do around Australia.

Many readers may not be aware Australia's not-for-profit sector has become a huge force to be reckoned with.

It deserves more help and support.

Our not-for-profit sector now employs 8 per cent of Australia's entire workforce.

It is nearly twice as big as Australia's agriculture industry.

It contributes an incredible $54.8 billion to the nation's GDP.

Thirty-six per cent of our adult population, 5.6 million people, volunteer in the sector.

We need more "new money" in the sector.

We need more people giving the sector a helping hand.

Not-for-profit groups also need to recognise they do have real economic power.

It is now estimated the charity sector now has over $175 billion in assets.

One good example of how this economic power can be used is Community 21, a group of 20 charities that recognised they all used banks, all had some assets and wanted their assets used to support communities rather than just making money for business.

Through community sector banking they now not only do their banking through their own banking service, but use their assets to support other not-for-profits.

Some of the not-for-profits that are a driving force behind Community 21 include Oxfam, Jobs Australia, Scope, ACOSS and Ozchild.

As community sector banking has shown, working together we can create new opportunities for our sector.

Not-for-profits ought to have a bigger say in their future.

They build communities and make local economies stronger.

They are not driven by "the bottom line".

They are driven by passion and purpose.

We salute that and thank your not-for-profits for their powerful work.

David Crosbie

Chief executive officer

Community Council for Australia