U.S. nonprofits employed 12.8 million paid workers in 2022, up 2.1% from the prior year. Volunteers contributed 5.8 billion hours, valued at $129.5 billion, alongside that paid workforce. This article examines how employment, funding streams, and staffing shortages are reshaping nonprofit delivery.
Key Takeaways
- U.S. nonprofits employed 12.8 million paid workers in 2022, a 2.1% increase from 2021
- Volunteers contributed 5.8 billion hours to U.S. nonprofits in 2022, valued at $129.5 billion
- The nonprofit workforce grew to 10.2% of total U.S. employment by 2022
- In FY2022, total U.S. nonprofit revenues increased by 9.9% to $2.62 trillion from $2.39 trillion in 2021
- Nonprofit contributions revenue grew 3.6% to $557.16 billion in 2022
- Program service revenues for nonprofits rose 10.2% to $1.38 trillion in 2022
- Total giving to U.S. nonprofits reached $499.33 billion in 2022, down 3.4% inflation-adjusted from 2021
- Individual giving accounted for 67% of total donations at $334.47 billion in 2022
- Foundations granted $103.53 billion in 2022, up 0.6% adjusted for inflation
- In 2022, U.S. nonprofits reported total revenues of $2.6 trillion, representing 5.2% of the nation's gross domestic product
- There are approximately 1.5 million tax-exempt organizations registered with the IRS in the United States as of 2023
- Nonprofits account for 12.3% of the U.S. workforce, employing over 12.3 million paid workers in 2022
- U.S. nonprofits served 150 million people through programs in 2022
- Nonprofits reduced poverty by providing $250 billion in services annually as of 2022 estimates
- 90% of U.S. nonprofits use digital tools for service delivery post-2022
In 2022, U.S. nonprofits grew to 12.8 million paid workers and expanded revenue and giving nationwide.
Related reading
01 · Category
Employment and Staffing27 stats
01
U.S. nonprofits employed 12.8 million paid workers in 2022, a 2.1% increase from 2021
02
Volunteers contributed 5.8 billion hours to U.S. nonprofits in 2022, valued at $129.5 billion
03
The nonprofit workforce grew to 10.2% of total U.S. employment by 2022
04
Average nonprofit employee salary was $52,000in 2022, 10% below for-profit average
05
44% of nonprofit workers are part-time, compared to 16% in for-profits in 2022
06
Women comprise 72% of the nonprofit workforce in the U.S. as of 2022
07
People of color represent 42% of nonprofit staff but only 28% of executives in 2022
08
Nonprofit CEO median compensation was $125,000in 2022, varying by size
09
Turnover rate in nonprofits averaged 19% in 2022, higher than 12% for-profit average
10
75% of nonprofits reported staffing shortages in 2022
11
Benefits coverage in nonprofits reached 85% for health insurance in 2022
12
Remote work adopted by 40% of nonprofits fully or hybrid in 2022
13
Health care nonprofits employ 7.5 million workers, 58% of nonprofit total in 2022
14
Education nonprofits staff 3.8 million, including universities and K-12 support in 2022
15
Social assistance nonprofits employ 2.1 million, focusing on vulnerable populations in 2022
16
65% of nonprofits increased wages by at least 5% in 2022 to combat inflation
17
Leadership pipeline gap: only 25% of staff aspire to executive roles in 2022
18
Training budgets averaged 1.5% of payroll in nonprofits in 2022
19
Unionization in nonprofits rose to 12% of workforce in 2022, up from 8% in 2019
20
Burnout affected 62% of nonprofit staff in 2022 surveys
21
Diversity in governance: 35% boards all-white in 2022 despite staff diversity
22
Gig economy workers in nonprofits grew 15% to 1.2 million in 2022
23
Retention bonuses implemented by 28% of nonprofits in 2022
24
Mental health support offered by 55% of nonprofits in 2022, up 20% from 2020
25
Average tenure for nonprofit executives is 7.6 years as of 2022 data
26
52% of nonprofits use AI for HR tasks like recruiting in 2022 pilots
27
Compensation equity gaps persist: women earn 82 cents to men's dollar in nonprofits 2022
Interpretation
Employment and Staffing Interpretation
The nonprofit sector is a vast engine of good, powered by millions of dedicated but underpaid and often part-time workers—predominantly women—who, despite facing higher turnover, burnout, and leadership gaps while doing essential work, continue to drive social impact with a workforce larger than most industries, yet still struggles to reflect its own diversity at the top or pay its people what they're worth.
02 · Category
Financial Performance26 stats
01
In FY2022, total U.S. nonprofit revenues increased by 9.9% to $2.62 trillion from $2.39 trillion in 2021
02
Nonprofit contributions revenue grew 3.6% to $557.16 billion in 2022
03
Program service revenues for nonprofits rose 10.2% to $1.38 trillion in 2022
04
Government grants to nonprofits increased 14.3% to $367 billion in 2022
05
Investment income for U.S. nonprofits surged 21.8% to $167 billion in 2022 due to market gains
06
Total nonprofit expenses grew 8.7% to $2.35 trillion in 2022
07
The average administrative expense ratio for U.S. nonprofits was 12% of total expenses in 2022
08
Fundraising costs averaged 18% of contributed revenues for nonprofits in 2022
09
U.S. nonprofits' net assets increased by 7.2% to $6.8 trillion in 2022
10
45% of U.S. nonprofits ended FY2022 with a surplus, up from 42% in 2021
11
Deficit operations affected 28% of nonprofits in 2022, primarily small organizations
12
Health subsector nonprofits saw 11% revenue growth in 2022, highest among all
13
Higher education nonprofits revenues grew 8.4% to $250 billion in 2022
14
Human services nonprofits faced 2% revenue decline in fees but grants up 15% in 2022
15
Arts nonprofits revenues dropped 1.5% in 2022 despite recovery efforts post-COVID
16
Environmental nonprofits investment returns averaged 12% in 2022, boosting finances
17
62% of nonprofits reported increased cash reserves in 2022 compared to 2021
18
Debt levels for U.S. nonprofits rose 5% to $350 billion in 2022
19
Unrestricted net assets for nonprofits averaged 25% of annual expenses in 2022
20
The median nonprofit liquidity ratio was 0.45 months of expenses in 2022, indicating tight cash flows
21
35% of nonprofits borrowed funds in 2022, up from 28% pre-pandemic
22
Program expense ratio averaged 82% for top-rated nonprofits in 2022
23
Overhead costs (admin + fundraising) averaged under 20% for efficient nonprofits in 2022
24
Revenue concentration risk affected 55% of nonprofits, relying on top 3 sources for over 50% revenue in 2022
25
Inflation-adjusted nonprofit revenues grew only 1.2% in 2022 despite nominal gains
26
Pension liabilities burdened 22% of nonprofits with $100 billion unfunded in 2022
Interpretation
Financial Performance Interpretation
The nonprofit sector’s 2022 financial portrait shows a confident industry flexing its $6.8 trillion muscles, but closer inspection reveals the careful accounting and tight cash flows that keep that heart beating behind the impressive growth.
03 · Category
Fundraising and Donations29 stats
01
Total giving to U.S. nonprofits reached $499.33 billion in 2022, down 3.4% inflation-adjusted from 2021
02
Individual giving accounted for 67% of total donations at $334.47 billion in 2022
03
Foundations granted $103.53 billion in 2022, up 0.6% adjusted for inflation
04
Bequests to nonprofits totaled $42.88 billion in 2022, up 8.5% nominally
05
Corporate giving rose to $29.48 billion in 2022, a 3.4% increase
06
Religion received $132.22 billion in donations, 26% of total giving in 2022
07
Human services got $67.32 billion, 13% of donations in 2022
08
Education donations reached $61.08 billion in 2022, down 7.3% adjusted
09
Health organizations received $46.15 billion in gifts in 2022
10
Arts/culture/humanities donations totaled $21.13 billion in 2022, up slightly
11
Online giving grew 13.2% to $12.5 billion in 2022 for major nonprofits
12
Donor-advised funds distributed $54.77 billion in 2022, up 8%
13
Average donor retention rate was 45% for nonprofits in 2022
14
Monthly recurring donors increased 25% year-over-year to 15% of base in 2022
15
72% of donors give via mobile in 2022
16
Major gifts ($100k+) totaled $75 billion in 2022
17
Crowdfunding raised $1.8 billion for U.S. nonprofits in 2022, up 12%
18
Planned giving receipts grew 5.2% to $45 billion in 2022
19
41% of donors prefer digital giving methods in 2022 surveys
20
Event fundraising averaged $250k per event for mid-sized orgs in 2022
21
Email open rates for nonprofit campaigns averaged 26% in 2022
22
Peer-to-peer fundraising raised $4.2 billion in 2022
23
Corporate matching gifts claimed only 1% of eligible donations in 2022
24
High-net-worth giving averaged $25k per donor annually in 2022
25
68% of millennials donate to nonprofits, highest generation in 2022
26
Text-to-give raised $1.1 billion in 2022, up 20%
27
Legacy Society members grew 15% in 2022 for planned giving
28
ROI on direct mail was $1return per $0.22 spent in 2022
29
Social media drove 22% of online donations in 2022
Interpretation
Fundraising and Donations Interpretation
Though overall giving dipped slightly, Americans proved their generosity remains remarkably resilient, with individual donors carrying the torch while digital and legacy strategies show promising growth for the future.
More related reading
04 · Category
Size and Scope30 stats
01
In 2022, U.S. nonprofits reported total revenues of $2.6 trillion, representing 5.2% of the nation's gross domestic product
02
There are approximately 1.5 million tax-exempt organizations registered with the IRS in the United States as of 2023
03
Nonprofits account for 12.3% of the U.S. workforce, employing over 12.3 million paid workers in 2022
04
The nonprofit sector in the U.S. controls assets worth $6.2 trillion as of fiscal year 2021
05
Health care nonprofits make up 59% of total nonprofit revenues in the U.S., totaling $1.53 trillion in 2022
06
Education nonprofits represent 15% of the U.S. nonprofit sector by revenue, generating $390 billion in 2022
07
Human services nonprofits comprise 13% of U.S. nonprofit revenues, amounting to $338 billion annually as of 2022
08
Arts, culture, and humanities nonprofits hold 4% of total nonprofit assets, valued at $248 billion in 2021
09
Religious organizations represent 72% of all U.S. nonprofits by number but only 19% of revenues at $494 billion in 2022
10
Environmental and animal welfare nonprofits number 110,000 in the U.S., contributing $15 billion in revenue in 2022
11
International nonprofits in the U.S. generated $65 billion in revenues in 2022, focusing on global aid efforts
12
Public and societal benefit nonprofits account for 8% of U.S. nonprofit revenues, totaling $208 billion in 2022
13
In 2021, U.S. nonprofits spent $1.4 trillion on program services, representing 81% of total expenses
14
The average U.S. nonprofit revenue per organization was $1.7 million in 2022
15
Small nonprofits (under $100k revenue) make up 73% of all U.S. nonprofits but only 3% of total revenues in 2022
16
Mid-sized nonprofits ($1M-$10M revenue) represent 11% of organizations but 28% of sector revenues in 2022
17
Large nonprofits (over $50M revenue) are 0.4% of total but generate 57% of all revenues in the U.S. in 2022
18
U.S. nonprofit revenues grew by 4.1% nominally from 2021 to 2022, outpacing inflation slightly
19
The nonprofit share of U.S. GDP has risen from 4.5% in 2000 to 5.2% in 2022
20
Globally, there are over 15 million nonprofits, with the U.S. hosting 10% of them as of 2023 estimates
21
In 2022, U.S. nonprofit program expenses reached $2.1 trillion, up 9% from 2021
22
Nonprofits in California represent 12% of all U.S. nonprofits, with revenues over $300 billion in 2022
23
New York nonprofits generate 10% of national nonprofit GDP contribution at $260 billion in 2022
24
Texas has over 120,000 nonprofits, contributing $120 billion to the economy in 2022
25
Florida's nonprofit sector employs 1 million people and generates $100 billion in impact annually as of 2022
26
Illinois nonprofits account for 9.5% of state GDP, with $70 billion in revenues in 2022
27
Pennsylvania has 80,000 nonprofits providing 10% of employment statewide in 2022
28
Ohio's nonprofit revenues totaled $85 billion in 2022, representing 11% of state GDP
29
Michigan nonprofits employ 600,000 workers, generating $60 billion in economic activity in 2022
30
U.S. nonprofit capital expenditures reached $120 billion in 2022 for facilities and equipment
Interpretation
Size and Scope Interpretation
Behind the staggering $2.6 trillion scale of the U.S. nonprofit sector—which employs one in ten workers and wields trillions in assets—lies a story of immense concentration, where a tiny fraction of large health and education giants haul in most of the revenue while a vast sea of small, dedicated groups do the essential, often underfunded, work of community care.
05 · Category
Trends and Impact25 stats
01
U.S. nonprofits served 150 million people through programs in 2022
02
Nonprofits reduced poverty by providing $250 billion in services annually as of 2022 estimates
03
90% of U.S. nonprofits use digital tools for service delivery post-2022
04
Climate action nonprofits influenced $500 billion in green investments in 2022
05
Food banks distributed 6.5 billion meals in 2022, serving 44 million people
06
Homeless shelters aided 650,000 individuals nightly in 2022
07
Mental health nonprofits reached 50 million Americans in 2022
08
Animal shelters adopted out 3.2 million pets in 2022
09
Disaster relief nonprofits responded to 450 events, aiding 20 million in 2022
10
Youth programs served 30 million children via nonprofits in 2022
11
75% of nonprofits adopted DEI initiatives by 2022, impacting operations
12
Hybrid events increased participation 40% for nonprofits in 2022
13
AI adoption in nonprofits reached 35% for analytics in 2022
14
ESG reporting implemented by 28% of large nonprofits in 2022
15
Post-COVID volunteer return rate was 65% of pre-pandemic levels in 2022
16
Advocacy wins: nonprofits influenced 120 federal policies in 2022
17
Telehealth expanded via nonprofits to 25 million underserved in 2022
18
Sustainable practices adopted by 60% of nonprofits in operations 2022
19
Blockchain for transparency used by 12% of nonprofits in 2022
20
Impact measurement tools used by 70% of funders' grantees in 2022
21
Collaborative partnerships grew 25% among nonprofits in 2022
22
VR/AR for education/training piloted by 15% nonprofits in 2022
23
Equity-focused grants doubled to $50 billion in 2022
24
Nonprofit mergers increased 18% to 250 deals in 2022
25
Data privacy compliance (GDPR-like) achieved by 82% large nonprofits 2022
Interpretation
Trends and Impact Interpretation
The nonprofit sector is quietly running a parallel, humane, and occasionally tech-savvy version of the government, feeding, healing, sheltering, and advocating for hundreds of millions while nudging the rest of us toward a more equitable and sustainable future, all on a budget of ingenuity and grit.
Reference
Cite This Report
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APA
Elif Demirci. (2026, February 13). Non Profit Industry Statistics. Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/non-profit-industry-statistics
MLA
Elif Demirci. "Non Profit Industry Statistics." Gitnux, 13 Feb 2026, https://gitnux.org/non-profit-industry-statistics.
Chicago
Elif Demirci. 2026. "Non Profit Industry Statistics." Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/non-profit-industry-statistics.
Sources & references
87 datasets cited across this report · attribution is report-level
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