Nonprofit Groups Reported Rising Burnout, Funding Challenges and Increased Demand

Nonprofit organizations across the U.S. are reporting higher levels of staff burnout, increased financial pressure and greater difficulty obtaining grants as the demand for their services has grown, according to a survey released this week. The survey of 380 nonprofit CEOs, conducted in February, found that 46 percent described their own burnout as "very much a concern," compared with 29 percent in the previous year's survey.

Nearly three-fourths of the leaders said their organizations had seen increased demand for services since January 2025. Almost 60 percent reported that it had become harder to secure foundation grants. More than 40 percent said they had received reduced funding from foundations during the same period, while more than a third reported cuts in government funding from federal, state or local sources.

Since 2025 The report describes the current environment as shaped by federal legislative actions, executive orders and budget decisions that began in 2025. These changes have affected both nonprofit operations and the philanthropy sector that supports them.

The combination of rising service demand and tighter funding has contributed to worsening financial stress within many organizations. Nonprofit leaders indicated that these pressures have intensified over the past year. The survey results provide a snapshot of conditions facing nonprofits as federal budget decisions continue to be implemented.

Organizations have not released detailed information on specific steps they may take in response to the reported strains.