Our community’s nonprofit sector impacts the most critical aspects of our lives and our region, from meeting essential needs for food, shelter and health care to improving quality of life through recreation, the arts and community betterment projects. As economic conditions worsened in late 2008, the Community Foundation of the Great River Bend became increasingly concerned about how the economy is affecting our local charitable organizations.

In February 2009, the Community Foundation conducted an online survey to measure the health of charitable organizations in the Quad Cities area. More than 65 nonprofits representing the arts, health, human services, the environment, education and social services completed the survey. Results provided insight as to how nonprofits are being impacted by current economic conditions:

Obtaining funding and recruiting new donors were identified as major challenges;

• Sixty-five perfect of nonprofits felt they were in competition with other nonprofits and more than half were concerned about retaining donors;
• More than 66% of respondents said they have been financially healthy to date but feel vulnerable in the future;
• Demand for nonprofit services has increased, so much so, nearly half of survey respondents said they will examine expanding their services in key areas in the next three years, and
• Approximately 68% of survey participants have decided not to launch a capital campaign.

“Now is the time to support our nonprofits,” said Susan Skora, Community Foundation president/CEO. “The Community Foundation will do so by offering relevant training opportunities for nonprofit board and staff members. Training opportunities help staff lead organizations to a strong and sustainable future, and the Community Foundation is committed to making that training affordable.”

The Community Foundation plans to conduct this survey again in six months and will continue to keep its fingers on the pulse of the nonprofit sector.