Reach out now to receive a discount on a 2025 CEP assessment or advisory project.

Contact Us

Search

Newsletter

Effective Matters: June 2023

Date: June 29, 2023

Never Miss A Post

Share This Post:

NEW CEP Research: State of Nonprofits 2023

Nonprofits across the U.S. report that they are experiencing an increase in trust from funders and positive changes in funder practice, while simultaneously noting that they are facing high levels of burnout in their staff and difficulty filling staff positions and retaining staff. Finally, nonprofits report a more positive financial outlook than many feared given the recent challenging economic context.

CEP’s new report, State of Nonprofits 2023: What Funders Need to Know, provides insight into how nonprofits are faring in 2023.

The results of a nationally representative survey of nonprofit leaders reveal the following data points, among many other insights:

  • More than half of nonprofit leaders perceived an increase in trust during the past year from their funders. This increase was accompanied by shifts in practice described in the report.
  • Issues related to staff are the top challenge facing nonprofit leaders; nearly all nonprofit leaders surveyed indicated concern about burnout.
  • Less than a quarter of nonprofits reported a deficit in the last fiscal year.

Read the Report

View Report Highlights

Mark Your Calendars: Join us July 11 to Discuss the State of Nonprofits

More than three years after an unprecedented period of challenge for nonprofit organizations began with the COVID-19 pandemic, what do individual and institutional donors need to know about how nonprofits are faring today, how they are experiencing funders, and what big challenges they face?

Join us July 11 for a free webinar on CEP’s new research and a discussion with nonprofit and foundation leaders about the state of nonprofits right now and what funders need to know. In addition to sharing details of CEP’s new report, State of Nonprofits 2023: What Funders Need to Know, we will preview an additional report (to be released soon) providing further insight into grantee experiences with funders following the transformational crises of 2020.Moderated by CEP’s new Vice President, Research, Elisha Smith Arillaga, this session will feature a presentation of CEP’s new and forthcoming research by Christina Im (Analyst, Research) and Katarina Malmgren (Associate Manager, Research). Shaheer Mustafa, president and CEO of HopeWell, and Brenda Solorzano, CEO of Headwaters Foundation, will respond with their insights on the research.

Out Now: CEP’s 2022 Annual Report

Featuring joy-filled photos from CEP’s first in-person staff retreat since before COVID-19, CEP’s 2022 annual report is now out. This year’s annual report highlights a packed and notable year: 127 engagements for the assessment and advisory services team; two headlining reports from the research team — one on the views and actions of foundation leaders when it comes to climate change and the other on the impact of MacKenzie Scott’s large, unrestricted gifts on nonprofits receiving them; the YouthTruth team’s efforts at elevating student voices in a fraught and uniquely challenging time for students; and a third season of the Giving Done Right podcast, among many other achievements across teams at CEP.

Find updates on the work and progress of the research, assessment and advisory services, programming and external relations, people and culture, and finance and operations teams, as well as YouthTruth, in CEP’s 2022 Annual Report.

Join Us This Fall for CEP2023 in Boston

CEP’s national conference brings together senior foundation leaders, program officers, trustees, philanthropic advisors, and major donors to engage with the most pressing issues in philanthropy. CEP2023 will feature talks from influential and thought-provoking leaders, focused breakout sessions, and ample opportunity to learn from and connect with peers.

We hope you will join us this fall at CEP2023 to engage in these crucial conversations, learning opportunities, and moments of connection with your peers in philanthropy. Find out more about the CEP conference by:

Register Now

Latest on the CEP Blog

It’s Time For Philanthropy To Get Involved Driving Equity In AI
In the latest in our series on AI and Philanthropy, Sarah Di Troia reflects on the role that philanthropy can — and should — play in driving equity in AI as the new technology makes its way into everyday use.

Funders Take Note: Philanthropy Can Do More To Support Student Aspirations
As another graduation season comes and goes, YouthTruth’s Jen de Forest shares new insight from YouthTruth data about students expectations and aspirations for higher education — and when (and for whom) those diverge.

Madam C.J. Walker’s Lessons For Giving — And Living — Well
Reflecting on a recent book by Tyrone McKinley Freeman about the life and giving of Madam C.J. Walker, CEP’s Grace Nicolette shares her takeaways about how Walker modeled a holistic approach to giving and living generously.

What Happens When Funding Centers Mental Health And Emotional Well-Being?
Friends of Refugees Executive Director Kendra Jeffreys draws on her experience working with individuals and communities that have experienced significant grief, loss, and in some cases trauma, pointing to the importance of funding nonprofits to provide support for mental and emotional well-being.

New Faces at CEP & YouthTruth

Elisha Smith Arrillaga
Vice President, Research

Lauren Chan
Coordinator, People and Culture

Related Content