2018 National State of the Nonprofit Sector Survey

In the 2018 State of the Nonprofit Sector Survey, almost 3,400 nonprofit leaders across all 50 states and a wide range of sizes and missions said they are:

  • facing familiar challenges plus real-time concerns
  • expanding staff and programs
  • very worried about the people they serve

Pie charts illustrating data from the 2018 State of the Nonprofit Sector Survey

NFF is deeply grateful to the thousands of nonprofit leaders who took the time to complete the Survey and show the country what's at stake, and to the hundreds of partners who helped share the Survey and build this critically needed data set.

Gathering, analyzing, and sharing data about nonprofits' health and challenges is a major pillar of our commitment to unlock the potential of mission-driven organizations by sharing accessible insights. Launched in 2009 when economic crisis threatened the viability of many organizations, the Survey has become a collective megaphone for thousands of nonprofits nationwide, and a crucial evidence base for sector funding discussions.

Click here to read the 2018 State of the Nonprofit Sector Survey press release, and click here to read an article about the Survey published in The Chronicle of Philanthropy.

Read more on how Survey data was used in city council testimony to help NYC nonprofit leaders campaign for better government contracts.

Photo of woman speaking at a podium giving testimony about survey results. Her comments are in white text on an orange backdrop.

Email [email protected] for questions, historical data, and deeper analysis options (charges may apply).

NFF thanks the Bank of America Charitable Foundation for generously supporting the State of the Nonprofit Sector Survey since 2010. The 2018 Survey is also generously supported by The David and Lucile Packard Foundation, BKD CPAs & Advisors, and Asian Pacific Community Fund.

Logos for Bank of America, Asian Pacific Community Fund, the David and Lucile Packard Foundation, and BKD CPAs and Advisors