State of the Latino Non-Profit Sector in Massachusetts

Latinos are one of the fastest growing ethnic groups in Massachusetts. Between 1980 and 2017, the Massachusetts Latino population increased by 475%, with many new arrivals coming from Central and South America. In Massachusetts, the top ten Latino subgroups by population size are: Puerto Ricans, Dominicans, Brazilians, Salvadorans, Guatemalans, Mexicans, Colombians, Cubans, Ecuadorans, and Hondurans. These varied national origins reflect the diversity of the state’s Latino community and its breadth of strengths and needs. The Mauricio Gastón Institute for Latino Community Development and Public Policy (Gastón Institute) estimates that by 2035, the Latino population will represent nearly 15.3% of the state’s population, compared to 12.4% in 2019.2 This growth will be due more to future Massachusetts births than to international migration. In partnership with Amplify Latinx, Gastón Institute researchers gathered data about the current Latino non-profit organizations in Massachusetts. Our goal was to establish a benchmark that would allow us to assess the strengths of the specific services provided by these non-profits to Latino communities across the state. The data collection and analysis for this report occurred between June 2019 and February 2020 and therefore predates the effect of the 2020 COVID-19 crisis on the work and stability of Latino organizations. Yet, the COVID-19 crisis highlights the great urgency for policies and practices that can strengthen the ability of Latino organizations to respond to community needs