NFF 2015 State of the Sector Survey: Results Released Today!

NFF's 2015 State of the Nonprofit Sector Survey results are out! Full survey results are available at nff.org/survey! Filter the data yourself with our Survey Analyzer.

Although we manage to keep our financial heads above water – [our greatest challenge] is the uncertainty and constancy of operating on such a knife edge.

In 2014, the social sector generated stories of both promising innovation and overwhelming challenges. In fundraising, the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge, which raised over $100 million from 3 million donors, reminded us of the power of individual giving and the underutilized potential of social media. In the same year, New York City's largest human services agency reached the brink of bankruptcy after providing essential services for 80 years. Over 100,000 clients are suddenly facing a disruption in services, coming to the end of what was for many a decades-long relationship with the agency.

NFF's 2015 State of the Nonprofit Sector Survey focuses on the underlying causes of these dynamics by exploring the programmatic, financial, and operational issues facing nonprofits across the U.S. We launched the Survey in 2008, when economic crisis threatened the viability of many organizations. Seven years later, results from 5,451 respondents show some indications of recovery, stabilization, and growth. Nonprofits are adding jobs, engaging in strategic conversations such as leadership succession planning, and looking to retain their workforce. Yet as they raise their sights from the focus on short-term crisis, many are confronting the troubling reality that current practices cannot sustain organizations in the long-term or meet the needs of the communities they serve now. Many organizations have stumbled out of crisis looking to make the necessary investments to secure their long-term future. And it is a hard road ahead.

Below we've highlighted this year's key findings. Stay tuned for additional research and analysis in the upcoming months!

Key Findings

Currently there are over 1,000 households on our waitlist for 90 units of affordable housing.

Under-resourced communities are going without because nonprofits can't meet demand. Americans - particularly those in low-income communities - are still struggling to secure jobs, affordable housing, and healthcare.

• 76% of nonprofits reported an increase in demand for services - the 7th year that a majority have reported increases.
• 52% couldn't meet demand, the third year in a row that more than half of nonprofits couldn't meet demand.
• Of those who reported that they could not meet demand, 71% said that client needs go unmet when they can't provide services.

If we have a program that needs $40K to operate, we ask for $40K and the funder gives us $5K, the funder still expects the same type of programming as the $40K budget but for their $5K investment.

Recovery of the U.S. economy hasn't addressed the systemic and perpetual funding challenges facing nonprofits. While we are seeing some positive economic indicators, in many cases nonprofits are still hampered by insufficient funding and a lack of investment in long-term sustainability.

• For some nonprofits, financial health indicators have improved: 47% ended 2014 with a surplus, the highest in the history of our survey.
• However, 53% are reporting 3 months or less cash-on-hand
• Nonprofits said that top challenges were:
  • Achieving long-term sustainability (32%)
  • The ability to offer competitive pay and/or retain staff (25%)
  • Raising funding that covers full costs (19%)

Nonprofits are navigating a time of immense need and change, while pursuing ways to build long-term sustainability and viability. Nonprofits continue to prove their ability to survive and thrive in tough conditions. They are working to ensure their ability to meet community needs now and in the years to come. Here are some of the ways they are investing in their futures:

• 51% collaborated with another organization to improve or increase services offered.
• 44% hired staff for new positions.
• 33% upgraded hardware or software to improve service or program delivery.
• 29% conducted long-term strategic or financial planning.