Nonprofit Statistics and Facts 2018 to 2022

The nonprofit sector plays a crucial role in addressing various social, environmental, and economic issues. Understanding nonprofit statistics helps us gauge the sector’s impact, identify trends, and make informed decisions to support its growth and effectiveness. This article presents key statistics from 2018 to 2022, organized by year, and discusses their significance.

This sector employs roughly 10% of the U.S. labor force and represents about 5% of GDP. Put another way, the nonprofit sector relies on a 2:1 ratio of labor to GDP which means future jobs may rely on this sector.


2022 Nonprofit Statistics

  • Total Amount Raised: Data for the full year of 2022 is not yet available. However, the Blackbaud Institute Index provides monthly updates on charitable giving trends (The Blackbaud Institute Index) . Monitoring these trends can help nonprofits adapt their fundraising strategies to changing circumstances.
  • Total Donors: Data for the full year of 2022 is not yet available. Keep an eye on the Blackbaud Institute Index for updates on donor trends (The Blackbaud Institute Index). Understanding donor behavior is essential for nonprofits to effectively engage with their supporters and secure funding.
  • Number of Nonprofits: According to sources like CauseIQ, there are roughly 1.8 million registered nonprofits. However, data for the full year of 2022 is not yet available. Check the Independent Sector for updates on the number of nonprofits (Health of the U.S. Nonprofit Sector Quarterly Review ). Tracking the growth of the nonprofit sector can help stakeholders identify emerging trends and opportunities for collaboration.
  • Growth Trends: The nonprofit sector has been growing steadily, with a 39% increase in the number of registered nonprofits between 2000 and 2021 (26 Incredible Nonprofit Statistics [2023]). This growth underscores the sector’s adaptability and its ability to respond to evolving societal needs.
  • Impact of COVID-19 on the Nonprofit Sector: The pandemic has significantly impacted nonprofits, with 83% of organizations reporting a decline in revenues in 2020 ( 15 Interesting Nonprofit Organizations Statistics and Facts ). This highlights the need for continued support and innovative solutions to help nonprofits navigate the ongoing challenges posed by the pandemic.

2021 Nonprofit Statistics

  • Total Amount Raised: Charitable giving in the United States reached $471.44 billion in 2021, a 5.1% increase from 2020 (Nonprofit Statistics 2023). This growth demonstrates the resilience of the nonprofit sector and the continued generosity of donors despite the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic.
  • Total Donors: Approximately 69% of the US population donated to charity in 2021 (26 Incredible Nonprofit Statistics [2023] ). This high level of engagement highlights the importance of the nonprofit sector in addressing societal needs and the willingness of individuals to contribute to causes they care about.
  • Number of Nonprofits: There were approximately 1.54 million registered nonprofits in the United States in 2021 (26 Incredible Nonprofit Statistics [2023] ). The growth in the number of nonprofits indicates an expanding sector that is increasingly diverse and capable of addressing a wide range of issues.
  • Most Popular Causes: In 2021, the top three causes that received the most donations were religion (28%), education (14%), and human services (12%) (Nonprofit Statistics 2023). These statistics provide insights into donor preferences and can help nonprofits better target their fundraising efforts.

2020 Nonprofit Statistics

  • Total Amount Raised: Despite the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, charitable giving rose to $471.44 billion in 2020 (2023 Financial, Donor & Volunteer Data – Financesonline.com ). This growth demonstrates the resilience of the nonprofit sector and the continued generosity of donors during difficult times.
  • Total Donors: In 2020, approximately 69% of the US population donated to charity (Nonprofit Fundraising Statistics [Updated for 2023] ). This high level of engagement highlights the importance of the nonprofit sector in addressing societal needs and the willingness of individuals to contribute to causes they care about during the pandemic.
  • Impact of COVID-19 on the Nonprofit Sector: The pandemic has had a significant impact on nonprofits, with 83% of organizations reporting a decline in revenues in 2020 (Research, Reports, and Data on the Nonprofit Sector). This highlights the need for continued support and innovative solutions to help nonprofits navigate the ongoing challenges posed by the pandemic.
  • Growth trends: The nonprofit sector has been growing steadily, with a significant increase in the number of registered nonprofits between 2000 and 2019 (Nonprofit Fundraising Statistics [Updated for 2023] ).
  • Most popular causes: In 2020, the top three causes that received the most donations were religion (28%), education (14%), and human services (12%) (Donor & Volunteer Data – Financesonline.com). These statistics provide insights into donor preferences and can help nonprofits better target their fundraising efforts.

2019 Nonprofit Statistics

2018 Nonprofit Statistics

  • Total Amount Raised: Charitable giving in the United States reached $427.71 billion in 2018 (Donor & Volunteer Data – Financesonline.com ). This demonstrates the generosity of donors and the impact of the nonprofit sector in addressing societal needs.
  • Total Donors: Approximately 68% of the US population donated to charity in 2018 (Nonprofit organizations in the U.S. – Statistics & Facts | Statista ). This high level of engagement highlights the importance of the nonprofit sector and the willingness of individuals to contribute to causes they care about.
  • Number of Nonprofits: There were approximately 1.3 million registered nonprofits in the United States in 2018 (National Center for Charitable Statistics ). The growth in the number of nonprofits indicates an expanding sector that is increasingly diverse and capable of addressing a wide range of issues.

As a final thought here, the nonprofit sector has demonstrated remarkable resilience, adaptability, and growth from 2018 to 2022. Despite facing numerous challenges, including the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, nonprofits have continued to play a vital role in addressing social, environmental, and economic issues. The data presented in this article showcases the sector’s capacity to respond to evolving societal needs, with a growing number of registered nonprofits and a consistent commitment from donors.

The trends identified in this article, such as the steady increase in charitable giving, the resilience of donor engagement, and the growth of the sector, suggest a promising future for nonprofits. As the sector continues to expand and diversify, its ability to address a wide range of issues will only strengthen. However, the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the sector cannot be ignored, and there remains a need for continued support and innovative solutions to help nonprofits navigate the ongoing challenges.

Understanding these nonprofit statistics is crucial for stakeholders, as it can inform decision-making, encourage collaboration, and inspire strategic action. By staying informed and engaged, we can all contribute to the growth and effectiveness of the nonprofit sector, and ultimately, to the well-being of our society.

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