The vast majority (88 percent) of nonprofit officials said they developed new or different ways of working during the coronavirus pandemic that led to positive outcomes, a study conducted by the Nonprofit Finance Fund (NFF) finds.

Conducted in partnership with Ambit 360 Consulting and EVITARUS, the 2022 State of the Nonprofit Sector Survey of 1,168 nonprofits also found that 51 percent of those who adopted new or different ways of working believe these could be permanent changes. In addition, the survey found that 71 percent of respondents reported that demand rose during the last two years, 86 percent expect it to continue to rise in 2022, but barely half (53 percent) expect to be able to meet that demand. While most nonprofits saw an increase in demand for services over the past two years, nonprofits led by Black, Indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC) saw the most marked increase, with 64 percent reporting a significant (at least 10 percent) increase in demand, compared with 47 percent of white-led organizations reporting significantly increased demand. 

At the same time, adapting to demand has had a direct impact on nonprofit employees. Since the pandemic began, 57 percent of BIPOC-led organizations and 45 percent of white-led organizations reported that employees have carried out duties outside of their job description all or most of the time.

“The survey findings are another clear demonstration of why NFF is doubling down on our commitment to community-centered, BIPOC-led organizations,” said NFF interim president and CEO Trella Walker. “It is not enough to sit with declarations of change, it is time to follow the lead of communities of color and support the changes they need.”

(Photo credit: Royalty Free)