Nonprofits are a diverse group of organizations that include philanthropic institutions, social welfare organizations, civic leagues, and social advocacy groups.
Despite their differences, they all share one thing in common: they are a positive force in our world. Nonprofits work on a wide range of issues, from animal welfare to arts and culture.
Let’s explore the world of nonprofit organizations, including how many there are and what they do.
Nonprofits are essential to our communities and society. Let’s analyze the impact and challenges of these contributions through statistics and insights.
| Category | Past Years Statistics | Recent Years (2022-2023) Statistics |
|---|---|---|
| Nonprofit Organizations | 1.5 million in the U.S. | Growth rate of 1.3889% annually to 1.54 million in the U.S. |
| Nonprofit Workforce | Employ 10% of the U.S. workforce; 7.4% of the worldwide workforce | 86% report difficulty in retaining employees; 10% turnover rate increase compared to 2020 |
| Financial Contribution | 5.7% of U.S. GDP; Total annual revenue of $2.62 trillion | Decline in total giving from $516 billion in 2021 to $499 billion in 2022 |
| Donations | 56% of Americans donated in 2021; Avg. donation $574 | Monthly giving rose by 11%; One-time donations declined by 12%; Avg. one-time gift was $192; Avg. monthly gift was $287 |
| Generational Giving | Baby Boomers and Gen X significant contributors | Baby Boomers: Avg. annual gift of $1,212; Silent Generation: Avg. annual gift of $1,367; Millennials: Avg. annual donation of $481 |
| Online Giving Trends | Online donations to environmental and human rights causes grew significantly | Online giving increased by 12.1% in 2021; Peer-to-peer fundraising surpassed $1 billion in 2022 |
| Government Grants | 80% of nonprofit revenue from government grants and contracts | Economic challenges influencing the drop in giving; focus on foundation giving increasing |
| Volunteerism | 25.1% of U.S. adults volunteered in 2017 | Approximately 63 million Americans volunteer their time, talents, and energy |
| Fundraising Trends | Email marketing accounted for 28% of all nonprofit revenue in 2017 | Diversified communication and virtual events are on the rise; Email marketing is still significant |
Nonprofit Statistics & Facts In General
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- There are approximately ten million non-governmental and nonprofit organizations in the world.
- There are over 1.3 million charitable or 501(c)(3) organizations in the United States.
- In the United States, nonprofit organizations employ about 10% of the workforce and contribute around 5% to 10% of the GDP.
- A nonprofit organization employs one out of every ten working Americans.
- California has the most nonprofit organizations, trailed by Texas & New York.
- Schools, churches & foundations account for 40% of all nonprofits in the United States.
- Religious groups are the most prevalent nonprofits in the United States.
- Nonprofits are essential for providing services for important causes.
- They are a significant part of the U.S. economy, with revenue more than doubling in the past decade.
- There are 1.5 million nonprofits in the U.S., employing 10% of the U.S. workforce and 7.4% of the global workforce.
- In international nonprofits, 70% of staff are paid, and 29% are volunteers.
- Nonprofits contribute 5.7% to the U.S. GDP, with an annual revenue of $2.62 trillion.
- In 2020, 29% of taxpayers took a tax deduction for charitable contributions, contributing to $10.9 billion in donations. A bill was introduced to make this deduction permanent for 2023 and 2024 tax returns, but has seen little progress.
- Baby Boomers constitute a significant portion of donors, with 72% donating annually and an average annual gift of $1,212.
- The Silent Generation, though only 11% of the US population, makes significant contributions, averaging $1,367 annually.
- Millennials are becoming increasingly important donors, with 84% giving to charity, donating an average of $481 annually across multiple organizations.
- Total charitable giving declined from $516 billion in 2021 to $499 billion in 2022. This decline was influenced by economic factors such as a decrease in disposable income and high inflation. Despite these challenges, foundation giving grew as a share of total giving, increasing from 5% in 1982 to 21% in 2022.
- In 2023, 86% of nonprofits reported difficulty in retaining employees, with an annual turnover rate that increased by 10% compared to 2020 figures. However, 55% of fundraisers took their current job because of their belief in the mission.
Facts and Figures on Nonprofits and Marketing
- Volunteers are 200 percent more likely than non-volunteers to make a donation.
- Nonprofit marketing not only attracts funds but also volunteers.
- A mobile device is used to make nearly one-third of all internet donations.
- 79 percent of donors use online videos to assist them in deciding whether or not to give.
- Two-thirds of NGOs are concerned about missing out on digital opportunities.
- In 2018, one-third of NGOs spent money on social media marketing.
- Facebook accounts for 18% of all donations worldwide.
- Emails sent to nonprofit organizations have had an open ratio of 15 to 17 percent.
- People under the age of 55 are 40 percent more inclined to volunteer.
- Two-thirds of volunteers in the United Kingdom are women.
- In the United States, the typical donor is 64 years old.
- 27 percent of people are more inclined to contribute non-cash assets.
- During the first year, nonprofit organizations should expect a 25 percent retention rate.
- The third largest employer in the U.S., behind retail and manufacturing.
- Added an estimated $1.5 trillion to the U.S. economy in Q3 2022.
- Globally, there are over 10 million nonprofit organizations.
Stats on Nonprofits and Employment
- Nearly 63 million Americans volunteered for NGOs in 2018.
- In monetary terms, volunteer hours totaled about $188 billion in 2016.
- On average, people donate 52 hrs of their time annually.
- In 2013, the nonprofit sector received $8.9% of all salaries and earnings, totaling $634 billion.
- In the United States, the nonprofit sector provides employment to just under 12 million people.
Statistics on Nonprofit Fundraising
- The majority of NGOs, like it or not, do not rely on contributions for funding; instead, 50 percent of their revenue is generated from payments for goods, services, and programs.
- In 2019, organizations in the United States received around $175 million in donations.
- Annually, school groups raise about $1.5 billion by selling a range of products.
- Over 90 percent of high-income families contribute to charity.
- Bequests account for 90% of planned donations.
- More than 50% of donors do not expect their contribution amounts to change as a result of COVID.
- During the pandemic, 16 percent of philanthropists are considering funding a new NGO.
- For 51% of NGOs, the epidemic has had a substantial impact on fundraising.
- During the pandemic, 53% of charitable groups decided to issue a particular appeal.
- Email marketing campaigns were significant in 2017, contributing to 28% of all nonprofit revenue.
- U.S. nonprofit revenue reached $2.62 trillion in 2016.
Statistics on Nonprofit Growth
- With $449.64 billion in philanthropic donations, 2019 has been one of the peak years ever.
- The average gift in 2019 was $616, while the average gift in 2020 was raised to $737.
- There has been a 21 percent rise in online giving since the outbreak began.
- Between 2006 and 2016, the number of nonprofit organizations registered with the IRS increased from 1.48 million to 1.54 million.
- In 2022, more than 10% of NGOs anticipate their budgets to grow.
- 70% of nonprofits struggle to get board members actively involved in fundraising activities, according to the 2023 Nonprofit Leadership Impact Study.
Donations to Nonprofits:
- 56% of Americans donated to charity in 2021, a slight increase from pre-pandemic levels.
- Baby boomers and Gen Z are notably generous, with high donation rates.
- 45% of global donors participate in monthly giving programs.
- Individual donations account for only 10% of nonprofit revenue; the majority comes from government grants and contracts.
- Donors are incentivized to give more due to tax benefits, with 89% of wealth in non-cash assets.
- The average charitable donation was $574 in 2021.
- Online giving rose by 12.1% in 2021.
- Environmental and human rights donations saw substantial growth.
- Steady growth in donations over the past six years.
- Nonprofit numbers and revenue have grown annually at 1.3889% and 7.989%, respectively.
- In 2022, the top 30 peer-to-peer fundraising programs surpassed $1 billion, marking an 18.8% increase over 2021. This, however, was still lower than the peak of $1.37 billion in 2019.
- There has been a shift in online giving patterns. While one-time donations declined by 12% year-over-year, monthly giving rose by 11% and accounted for 28% of online giving. The average monthly gift amounts to $287 across the year, compared to an average one-time gift of $192.
FAQs
📊 How effective are nonprofits in achieving their goals?
Effectiveness is key, and I wanted to know how well nonprofits are doing in reaching their goals. The statistics here are quite inspiring and show the impact these organizations have.
🌍 Which sectors do most nonprofits focus on?
Ever wondered what areas nonprofits mostly work in? I found out that they cover everything from education to healthcare. It's amazing to see the diversity in their focus areas!
🏠 Why do many U.S. entrepreneurs start their firms at home?
A large number of U.S. entrepreneurs, specifically 69%, start their firms at home, likely due to the cost-effectiveness and flexibility it offers.
📈 What leads to the profitability of many startups?
About 40% of startups become profitable, indicating that a significant number manage to effectively find market fit and utilize their resources well.
🌟 What does the high monthly expenditure signify for Series A startups?
The fact that 47% of Series A startups spend over $400k per month indicates the scale of investment needed for growth and development at this stage.
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Conclusion: Nonprofit Statistics 2024
Statistics about nonprofits reveal that this sector is vibrant, diverse, and crucial in addressing a wide range of social, educational, and health-related issues.
Nonprofits rely on volunteers, and their economic contribution and challenges, such as funding and competition, make them a vital and resilient sector.
The growth in the number of nonprofits and their impact on communities across the globe highlights the increasing role that they play in our society.
This data not only helps us appreciate the significance of nonprofits but also emphasizes the importance of supporting and sustaining them for the betterment of our communities and society as a whole.
Sources: Prosper Strategies, Foundation Group, Finances Online, HubSpot, Westerlund. co, National Council of Nonprofits, Planned Giving, Statista, Brighter Strategies, G2
