REPORT ON LOCAL NONPROFITS RELEASED

2015 Nonprofits and the Economy Survey Report

A Nonprofit Coalition composed of the United Way of Washington County, UW‐Extension, UW‐Washington County and the Volunteer Center conducted a survey of the Washington County nonprofit community in order to:

  • Measure the fiscal health of the nonprofit community
  • Identify nonprofit needs for future Nonprofit Toolbox workshops
  • Measure longer‐term outcomes of the Nonprofit Toolbox series

A comparative analysis between the 2012 and 2015 surveys was conducted in order to determine if any changes or trends could be observed.

The key finding from this analysis is that demand for services from the nonprofit community continues to increase while nonprofits' fiscal health has decreased.

  • Demand for services has increased‐ 77% experienced an increase in demand from the previous year in 2015, compared to 68% in 2012
  • Waiting lists for services have increased‐ 32% had waiting lists in 2015, compared to 11% in 2012
  • Confidence in meeting demand for services has decreased‐ 84% are somewhat to very confident in 2015, compared to 95% in 2012
  • Financial health has decreased‐ 66% have been financially healthy to date, but feel vulnerable in the future, compared to 40% in 2012
  • Cash reserves for operating expenses have decreased‐ 39% had a greater than six month cash reserve for operating expenses in 2015, compared to 56% in 2012
  • Funding increases from individual donors remained unchanged‐ 40% had an increase in individual donations from the previous year in both 2012 and 2015
  • Funding increases from business donations, the United Way, fees for services and special events/fundraisers occurred‐ each category increased 18‐26% from 2012‐2015

The survey concluded that increased demand for services while financial strength is weakening is an unsustainable model for nonprofits. In order to survive, nonprofits may need to increase revenues or reduce services. Increasing revenues may be challenging in a community that has recently had a number of capital campaigns that total over $20 million. Donor fatigue may impact future nonprofit solicitations. Reducing services may be challenging due to continued increases in community need (decrease in median household income and increasing poverty) and a desire for a high quality of life (community and cultural amenities). Read the full report

 

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