Why Does The

Nonprofit Sector Matter?

   

How Have Nonprofits Shaped Your Life?

  • … Natural spaces you enjoy?

  • Blue wooden church with pointed steeple and cross against cloudy sky and mountain backdrop.

    … Spiritual comfort found in your local congregation?

  • Five children sitting on a wooden bench, facing a scenic outdoor area with trees and grass, backpacks on the ground.

    … Building character through Girl Scouts or Little League?

  • Child feeding deer through a fence with adult nearby in a woodland setting.

    … Unforgettable trips to your local Zoo?

  • People observing colorful abstract wall art in a modern gallery.

    … Being awestruck at your Museum or Art or Science and Industry?

  • Swimming pool with yellow lane divider

    … Learning to swim at the YMCA?

  • Dancers performing on a dimly lit stage with one dancer lifting another.

    … Arts that move you?

  • Graduates tossing caps in the air in front of a university building with Cyrillic writing.

    … The education you received?

A man and a boy wearing masks fist bumping at an outdoor event with people in the background.
Children holding hands in a classroom setting, wearing casual clothes.

“The nonprofit sector unites millions of Americans in service - 12 million staff, 64 million leaders, and countless lives changed (2019, NCN).

As champions of your mission, we're here to help you amplify that impact.”

Hand holding a sign that reads 'Kindness. Pass it on.' against a beach background.
A child in a blue shirt pouring paint into a container with an adult assisting, in a classroom setting with bottles of paint in the foreground.

Nonprofit Size Distribution

Pie chart showing the percentage of 501(c)(3) charitable nonprofits by size, excluding private foundations. 55% report no expenses, 20% have expenses up to $100K, 8% between $100K-$250K, 5% between $250K-$500K, 4% between $500K-$1M, 5% between $1M-$5M, 1% between $5M-$10M, and 2% greater than $10M. Data sourced from the National Council of Nonprofits, 2019.

The nonprofit landscape might surprise you:

  • 55% are grassroots organizations reporting minimal or no expenses

  • Only 8% have budgets exceeding $1 million

Small nonprofits form the backbone of America's charitable sector despite their size. With the right support and strategies, there's tremendous potential for:

  • Scaling your impact

  • Strengthening your financial foundation

  • Expanding your community reach

  • Building sustainable programs

Data from: the National Council of Nonprofits, Copyright 2019. www.nonprofitimpactmatters.org

Circular chart showing total registered 501(c)(3) organizations, with 1,298,348 charitable nonprofits and 126,676 private foundations, totaling 1,425,024. Copyright 2019 National Council of Nonprofits.

Nonprofit Scale & Diversity

Infographic showing sources of nonprofit funding with dollar bill backgrounds and percentages: 49% Earned from private fees for services, 31.8% Earned from government grants/contracts, 8.7% Donated by individuals, 2.9% Donated by foundations, 1.5% Donated through bequests, 0.9% Donated by corporations, 5.2% Other. Copyright 2019 National Council of Nonprofits.

With 1.4 million registered 501(c)(3) organizations nationwide, the nonprofit sector is vast and varied

Of these, nearly 1.3 million are charitable nonprofits actively serving communities, while about 127,000 are private foundations supporting charitable work.

Data from: the National Council of Nonprofits, Copyright 2019. www.nonprofitimpactmatters.org

Nonprofit Revenue Sources

Here's something that might surprise you: Over 80% of nonprofit revenue isn't from grants at all - it's from services and contracts.

Just like you wouldn't build a house with only a hammer, you shouldn't build your entire nonprofit funding strategy with only grants. The most successful nonprofits create a mix of revenue streams that work for them and mitigate risk. This could mean:

  • Getting paid for your programs and services to bring in steady income

  • Landing government contracts

  • Cultivating relationships with major donors

  • Creating smart partnerships

  • Growing your volunteer base

Data from: the National Council of Nonprofits, Copyright 2019. www.nonprofitimpactmatters.org

Looking to increase your impact? Grants or strategic planning could be your answer.