GITNUXREPORT 2025

Nonprofit Industry Statistics

Nonprofit sector's growth, reliance on donations, digital shift, and funding challenges.

Jannik Linder

Co-Founder of Gitnux, specialized in content and tech since 2016.

First published: April 29, 2025

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Statistic 1

The average donation size to nonprofits in the U.S. is approximately $944

Statistic 2

About 63% of donors give to nonprofits through online platforms

Statistic 3

Online giving increased by 21% in 2022 compared to the previous year

Statistic 4

The median charity donation in the U.S. is around $250

Statistic 5

The average age of major donors to nonprofits is approximately 65 years old

Statistic 6

The proportion of end-of-year donations contributed during December is roughly 30-40%

Statistic 7

The retention rate for nonprofit donors is roughly 45% annually without ongoing engagement

Statistic 8

Donor retention rates vary significantly across sectors, with arts organizations averaging 39% and health organizations at 50%

Statistic 9

The average age of nonprofit donors is around 59 years, aging each year

Statistic 10

The nonprofit sector contributed over $1.1 trillion to the U.S. economy in 2020

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Nearly 77% of U.S. nonprofits rely primarily on individual donations for funding

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Nonprofits spend approximately 71 cents of every dollar on program services

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45% of U.S. nonprofits report that fundraising is their primary challenge

Statistic 14

Nonprofits in the U.S. received $324 billion in total revenue in 2020

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About 59% of nonprofit organizations report receiving funding from government sources

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Major causes funded by nonprofits include health (27%), education (19%), and human services (14%)

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About 46% of nonprofit organizations utilize social media for outreach and fundraising

Statistic 18

The global nonprofit sector's total revenue is estimated at over $2 trillion

Statistic 19

Nonprofit organizations experience an average of 12% annual growth in digital fundraising revenue

Statistic 20

The average overhead ratio for nonprofits is 15%, with the recommended cap at 15% for efficiency

Statistic 21

The median annual fundraising income for small nonprofits is around $50,000

Statistic 22

The adoption of CRM systems by nonprofits has increased to 57% in 2023, a rise of 12% from 2020

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The top challenge for nonprofits in 2023 remains sustainable funding, cited by over 70% of organizations

Statistic 24

International aid provided by NGOs reached approximately $36 billion in 2022

Statistic 25

About 35% of nonprofits in the U.S. have some form of earned income from activities like sales or service fees

Statistic 26

The nonprofit sector has grown by about 18% over the past decade

Statistic 27

The nonprofit sector in Canada contributed CAD$ 179 billion to the economy in 2019

Statistic 28

The percentage of nonprofits with a digital presence has increased to 83% in 2023

Statistic 29

Approximately 60% of nonprofit organizations plan to expand their programs in the upcoming year

Statistic 30

The number of new nonprofit startups increased by approximately 10% in 2022

Statistic 31

Over 60% of nonprofit organizations reported increasing their use of data analytics for strategic decisions

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Approximately 1.6 million nonprofit organizations exist in the U.S.

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About 86% of nonprofits are considered small organizations with budgets under $1 million

Statistic 34

Youth-led nonprofits account for approximately 10% of the nonprofit sector

Statistic 35

The total number of international NGOs has increased by over 50% since 2010

Statistic 36

Nearly 69% of nonprofit organizations are formed as 501(c)(3) organizations

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Approximately 12.3 million people were employed by nonprofits in the U.S. in 2021

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The nonprofit sector makes up about 5.4% of the U.S. private sector workforce

Statistic 39

62% of nonprofit organizations have fewer than five employees

Statistic 40

The median age of nonprofit board members is 64 years

Statistic 41

Volunteer hours contributed to nonprofits in the U.S. are valued at approximately $193 billion annually

Statistic 42

Women make up approximately 70% of the nonprofit workforce

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Nonprofit job postings increased by 8% in 2023 compared to the previous year

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42% of U.S. nonprofits report experiencing capacity issues related to staff skills and resources

Statistic 45

Nearly 85% of nonprofits report that they have increased their use of technology in recent years

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About 19 million Americans volunteer regularly for nonprofits, contributing an average of 50 hours annually

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The number of nonprofit employees earning over $100,000 annually is up 15% over the last five years

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Nearly 50% of nonprofit organizations face challenges with succession planning

Statistic 49

The average nonprofit executive director has been in their role for approximately 8 years

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Key Highlights

The nonprofit sector contributed over $1.1 trillion to the U.S. economy in 2020
Approximately 12.3 million people were employed by nonprofits in the U.S. in 2021
The nonprofit sector makes up about 5.4% of the U.S. private sector workforce
Nearly 77% of U.S. nonprofits rely primarily on individual donations for funding
The average donation size to nonprofits in the U.S. is approximately $944
62% of nonprofit organizations have fewer than five employees
The nonprofit sector has grown by about 18% over the past decade
About 63% of donors give to nonprofits through online platforms
Nonprofits spend approximately 71 cents of every dollar on program services
The nonprofit sector in Canada contributed CAD$ 179 billion to the economy in 2019
Online giving increased by 21% in 2022 compared to the previous year
Approximately 1.6 million nonprofit organizations exist in the U.S.
45% of U.S. nonprofits report that fundraising is their primary challenge

The nonprofit industry is a powerful engine driving the U.S. and global economies, contributing over $1.1 trillion in 2020 alone, employing millions, and increasingly embracing digital tools, yet it faces ongoing challenges like sustainable funding and capacity building amid rapid growth and evolving donor behaviors.

Donor behavior and Giving Trends

The average donation size to nonprofits in the U.S. is approximately $944
About 63% of donors give to nonprofits through online platforms
Online giving increased by 21% in 2022 compared to the previous year
The median charity donation in the U.S. is around $250
The average age of major donors to nonprofits is approximately 65 years old
The proportion of end-of-year donations contributed during December is roughly 30-40%
The retention rate for nonprofit donors is roughly 45% annually without ongoing engagement
Donor retention rates vary significantly across sectors, with arts organizations averaging 39% and health organizations at 50%
The average age of nonprofit donors is around 59 years, aging each year

Donor behavior and Giving Trends Interpretation

With the majority of donations swelling online and a median gift of just $250, nonprofits must navigate a rapidly aging donor base—averaging 59 years and more likely to give during December—while striving to boost retention beyond the 45% average, lest they risk becoming the charity equivalent of a seasonal fling.

Funding and Revenue Sources

The nonprofit sector contributed over $1.1 trillion to the U.S. economy in 2020
Nearly 77% of U.S. nonprofits rely primarily on individual donations for funding
Nonprofits spend approximately 71 cents of every dollar on program services
45% of U.S. nonprofits report that fundraising is their primary challenge
Nonprofits in the U.S. received $324 billion in total revenue in 2020
About 59% of nonprofit organizations report receiving funding from government sources
Major causes funded by nonprofits include health (27%), education (19%), and human services (14%)
About 46% of nonprofit organizations utilize social media for outreach and fundraising
The global nonprofit sector's total revenue is estimated at over $2 trillion
Nonprofit organizations experience an average of 12% annual growth in digital fundraising revenue
The average overhead ratio for nonprofits is 15%, with the recommended cap at 15% for efficiency
The median annual fundraising income for small nonprofits is around $50,000
The adoption of CRM systems by nonprofits has increased to 57% in 2023, a rise of 12% from 2020
The top challenge for nonprofits in 2023 remains sustainable funding, cited by over 70% of organizations
International aid provided by NGOs reached approximately $36 billion in 2022
About 35% of nonprofits in the U.S. have some form of earned income from activities like sales or service fees

Funding and Revenue Sources Interpretation

Despite contributing over a trillion dollars to the US economy and embracing digital tools, nonprofits still grapple with the perennial challenge of sustainable funding, highlighting that even in a sector rich in purpose and revenue, securing consistent support remains their greatest act of charity.

Impact, Challenges, and Sector Growth

The nonprofit sector has grown by about 18% over the past decade
The nonprofit sector in Canada contributed CAD$ 179 billion to the economy in 2019
The percentage of nonprofits with a digital presence has increased to 83% in 2023
Approximately 60% of nonprofit organizations plan to expand their programs in the upcoming year
The number of new nonprofit startups increased by approximately 10% in 2022
Over 60% of nonprofit organizations reported increasing their use of data analytics for strategic decisions

Impact, Challenges, and Sector Growth Interpretation

As the nonprofit sector blossoms by nearly 18% over a decade—contributing CAD$179 billion and embracing digital and data-driven strategies—it's clear that altruism is becoming not just a mission but a smart, scalable business model for the 21st century.

Organizational Size and Structure

Approximately 1.6 million nonprofit organizations exist in the U.S.
About 86% of nonprofits are considered small organizations with budgets under $1 million
Youth-led nonprofits account for approximately 10% of the nonprofit sector
The total number of international NGOs has increased by over 50% since 2010
Nearly 69% of nonprofit organizations are formed as 501(c)(3) organizations

Organizational Size and Structure Interpretation

With over 1.6 million nonprofit organizations—most small but fiercely committed—it's clear that while youth-led nonprofits comprise just a decade's slice of the sector, the global nonprofit footprint has expanded exponentially, highlighting a landscape where purpose often surpasses budget size but not passion.

Workforce and Volunteer Engagement

Approximately 12.3 million people were employed by nonprofits in the U.S. in 2021
The nonprofit sector makes up about 5.4% of the U.S. private sector workforce
62% of nonprofit organizations have fewer than five employees
The median age of nonprofit board members is 64 years
Volunteer hours contributed to nonprofits in the U.S. are valued at approximately $193 billion annually
Women make up approximately 70% of the nonprofit workforce
Nonprofit job postings increased by 8% in 2023 compared to the previous year
42% of U.S. nonprofits report experiencing capacity issues related to staff skills and resources
Nearly 85% of nonprofits report that they have increased their use of technology in recent years
About 19 million Americans volunteer regularly for nonprofits, contributing an average of 50 hours annually
The number of nonprofit employees earning over $100,000 annually is up 15% over the last five years
Nearly 50% of nonprofit organizations face challenges with succession planning
The average nonprofit executive director has been in their role for approximately 8 years

Workforce and Volunteer Engagement Interpretation

While the nonprofit sector employs over 12 million Americans—dominated by small teams and elder board members—its reliance on volunteer labor valued at nearly $200 billion and increasing professionalization underscores a vital need for strategic capacity and succession planning as it navigates growth and technological evolution.