The State of the Non-Profit Sector:  Insights from North Carolina

If you work for or with American non-profits, you know that we are in the midst of a major downturn triggered by Federal budget cuts and various political pressures.  Across the US, non-profit service providers are struggling, forced to do more with less.  For their employees, the situation is grim with many lay-offs and budget downsizing.

A new University of Charlotte Urban Institute survey of North Carolina non-profits offers evidence of these impacts in the wider Charlotte NC region.  The study surveyed leaders from more than 200 non-profits in a diverse array of sectors.  Within this group, 30% of organization had seen significant funding cuts, typically averaging around 29% of annual support. 

How are leaders responding to a one-year budget cut of nearly 1/3?  Not surprisingly, many, especially newer and smaller non-profits, are struggling. Many have been forced to downsize, laying off staff and reducing services.  These cuts affect services for local people, but they also hamstring an important sector in the local economy.  

Future surveys are planned to continue to track impacts.  At a minimum, these early results should serve as important warning sign that our local service providers are struggling, and that they need (and deserve) our support!