SURVEY RESULTS for State of the Nonprofit Sector E-mail
Newsroom - Making an Impact
Wednesday, 30 September 2009
State of the Nonprofit Sector Survey

Thank you those who took the time to participate in the survey held 2 weeks ago. And because the Center shares the results of surveys widely, your feedback helps educate and inform everyone in our local nonprofit sector.

1)    How has your organization changed compared to this time last year?

Budget cuts (76%), Staff reduction (50%), Salaries & benefits cuts (41.7%) all point to what we all know. The nonprofit sector is struggling to keep services open.


2)   How has demand for services changed compared to this time last year?

The demand for most nonprofits's services have not changed despite fewer resources.



3)   Compared with this time last year (3rd quarter), how has financial support changed?

Many of our respondents saw substantial decreases in financial support and a few saw increases. 



4)   Do you expect to make changes in the following areas over the next 12 months?

Many respondents are considering ways to stretch what they have by using strategic partnerships, volunteers to cover operations and pro bono support from the corporate sector. There is little interest in cutting back on programs or staff.




5)   What information would be most helpful to you in the coming months?

The top topics chosen were:

  1. Fundraising (71.9%)

  2. Board Recruitment and Development (49%)
       
  3. Organizational Effectiveness (46.9%)

  4. Program Evaluation (35.4%)

  5. Technology and Social Marketing (34.4%)

 



6)   Everyone is interested in finding cost effective models that work better, given shrinking budgets.
       When we talk to funders about what leaders in LA's nonprofit sector need to be more effective,
       what shall we tell them?

  *   Respondents suggested the following for Local Government:
       "streamline processes", "multi-year support, general operating funding", "(public support) advocacy",
       "better communication & transparency"

  *   Respondents suggested the following for Corporations:
     "financial support", "pro bono support", "visible commitment", "marketing support" and "partnerships"

  *   Respondents suggested the following for Foundations:
     "active participation", "training support", "funding", "more flexibility" and "faster review process"

7)   Should we ask funders to include money for training and consulting in their grantmaking?



8)   Which services will be most helpful to you in the coming months?



Next Steps for CNM

We'll be using the results of this snapshot in planning our own programs.

If you're currently looking for courses on some of these topics now, please visit:

Fundraising & Marketing Seminars. 

Rethinking Your Organization, The Entreprenurial Approach.

Energize & Engage a Tired Board

Setting the Right Course 

Program Evaluation 

SEO

Call 213-346-3257 for questions about "One on One Leadership/Management Coaching".

And look for more webinars in the upcoming weeks!

Thank you again.

 
Comments
Valarie Revels  - How Many Nonprofits and Where?   October 01 2009, 04:08 pm
Do you have information on:
1. How many nonprofits took the survey?
2. Program Areas
covered by these nonprofits - group supporting a large museum is different from a group
providing counseling services to teens ?
3. Size of Budgets?
4. Primary sources of
funding?
5. Life of the agencies?

You may have a more thorough report some pla...
Diane Wiley  - Survey smarts   October 08 2009, 09:00 am
While I appreciate the effort it takes to do a comprehensive survey, Valarie is correct,
in that there is no context for this data. It would be really good to publish addendum
with the info she notes so that each of us can understand where our particular
organizations fit in, and be able to communicate the information to the Board and
Kamella Tate  - Pie chart   October 08 2009, 09:36 am
I'd like to second Diane Wiley's comment -- the first pie chart is not a useful
representation of the data. A bar chart would be better; if you want to use a variety of
visualizations, a bubble diagram might work as well. I think you want to show the size of
each type of change relative to the others, not relative to the "whole pie."...
Mark Robertson  - President/CEO   October 08 2009, 10:21 am
I appreciate the info and it's presentation. Unlike the others, I felt the 1st pie chart
provided a good generalization of the industry. It gave a sense of "I'm not in this
alone", and it provided a basis of comparison with what our company is experiencing.
To me it doesn't matter if the sampling was 10 non-profits. Nor does it ...
Denny  - Director, Senior Activity Center   October 08 2009, 10:56 am
looking for more receptive funding resources for elders and baby boomers.
Foundations and
corporations should so be receptive to renewabale grants pending their requirements are
met.
Akiamin wisal  - New hope and new dreams   October 08 2009, 01:15 pm
I am write with hope get funding to open a day care center for senior or elders people.I
HOPE SOMEONE WILL GRANT ME SOME FUNDING TO OPEN MY DAY CARE TO THE SENIOR IN MY COMMUNITY.
Tien Yuan  - CNM Staff   October 12 2009, 11:45 am
We appreciate the feedback we receive following each State of the Sector survey we do here
at the Center. The findings as well as the feedback for very valuable as we deliver
relevant services to our colleagues throughout our community.

Our responses to
specific questions have been moved to the bottom of the survey for clarity. Please k...
Ron Milam   October 26 2009, 07:51 am
Very interesting - good to see what the general trends are these days. Thanks for doing
this survey.
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