Reflections: An editorial celebration
Five years ago, we embarked on a journey to envision the future of our region’s nonprofits. We identified benchmarks for success, and today, we’re pleased to report a thriving sector. Nonprofits have not only weathered challenging times, but in many ways, are operating at similar or even improved levels of functioning compared to 2018. While there’s always room for growth, this resilience is a testament to the dedication and innovation within the nonprofit community. As we look towards 2028, the question remains: where will the sector be next?
2018 Hopeful Outcomes
Status
Findings
Nearly two-thirds of 62% of nonprofits have at least six months of operating revenue in their reserves, up from 50% in 2018.
More nonprofits with diversified funding streams, especially among organizations with smaller budgets.
The revenue mix is similar to 2018 but the question was asked differently in the current survey, allowing for better comparisons going forward.
The question was asked differently in the current survey, so that nonprofits can respond with more clarity about their individual donor base and more accurate comparisons can be made going forward. On average, 25% of the nonprofit revenue mix comes from individual donors.
More nonprofits collaborating, especially to reduce staff and administrative expenses.
A mixed story. Though more are collaborating to obtain funding for programs and to advocate for clients. Fewer indicate collaborating to reduce staff and administrative expenses, a needed area of growth.
More nonprofits with access to state and federal funders and policy makers.
While local and state remained largely the same, over a third (38%) of nonprofits said they can access federal funders compared to 29% in 2018.
More nonprofits are using outcomes/impact measurement plans for their programs and services.
66% of nonprofits have a program evaluation process vs 57% in 2018.
More racial/ethnic diversity among nonprofit staff and board members.
White staff still make up the majority at 81%, but this portion is down from 86%. African American staff has grown from 8% to 12% in the same period. Among boards, diversity has increased with 14% members of color, up from 8% in 2018.
More boards using personal plans of involvement and formal board recruitment and orientation processes.
25% use PPI’s vs 26% in 2018.
57% in 2018, now 62% engage in board member recruitment, 64% in 2018, now 68% engage in board member orientation
More nonprofits looking at things like skill sets and connections to resources as crucial for board membership.
Willingness to give time to the organization (79%) and specialized skills (51%) are still the top two most important considerations for board membership. Access to resources, has not changed much and remains lower on the list.
The 2024 Greater Evansville Nonprofit Survey is a product of Welborn Baptist Foundation
in partnership with Diehl Consulting Group. View the survey methodology.