The term ?nonprofit? often conjures up images of brave, embattled organizations struggling to make ends meet. But, as our survey revealed, more than ever before nonprofit organizations are positioning themselves as professional, organized, and modern organizations that can hold their own in today?s unpredictable environment. Many of the nonprofit organizations we surveyed had well-maintained administrative systems, a strong web presence, high levels of board involvement, and an effective volunteer base. At the same time, many organizations admitted to unclear policies in the areas of (i) salaries and promotions, (ii) program evaluation, (iii) conflict resolution, (iv) mentoring, and (v) succession planning. Therefore, while the sector has made tremendous strides from where it was even 20 years ago, there are still areas where significant improvements are needed. The following is a summary of our most significant findings.

Many nonprofits are financially vulnerable, but do not take advantage of all fundraising opportunities
Slightly over half the organizations we surveyed believed they had sufficient resources to offer their programs and services effectively. However, slightly less than half make fundraising a priority, preferring to invest available resources in the areas of program development and administration. Most nonprofits are still overly reliant on foundation grants, and the opportunities offered by planned giving and endowments
are consistently underutilized.

   
Most nonprofits have a web presence, but have not tapped the full potential of the web
Most nonprofits have a web presence. However, many nonprofits tend to use their websites like a brochure, and do not take full advantage of the interactive features provided by the web, such as online donations, online registration, online surveys, and other web tools.
   
Most nonprofits are not transparent about salaries
Most nonprofits are hesitant to disclose their salary structure, and only 54% have an official salary schedule. This makes it very difficult for employees to know where they stand in relation to each other, as well as to comparable jobs in the industry.
   
Most nonprofits are not happy with their program and service delivery
Over 70% of organizations evaluate their programs regularly, while less than 50% believe that they provide their programs and services effectively. This is due in large part to insufficient financial resources.
Board members take their governance responsibilities seriously, but many are not effective fundraisers
Most board members we surveyed are actively involved in program oversight and strategic planning. However, fewer than 50% of respondents have clear and demonstrable fundraising goals. The reticence on the part of nonprofit boards to actively fundraise is a significant contributing factor to the lack of resources that many organizations grapple with.
   
Most CEOs have strong relationships with their boards, but weaker relationships with their staff and funders
The relationships between the CEO and staff, funders, board members, and the public is critical to the success of a nonprofit.  Our survey revealed that most CEOs have strong relationships with their boards, but not as many have strong relationships with funders or their staff.
   

The landscape of staff development is changing
Staff development has become a greater priority for many nonprofits, with most offering professional development opportunities to their staff, such as workshops and seminars. While most nonprofit leaders recognize the value of mentoring, few organizations have taken the time to introduce it into their organizations. Nevertheless, mentoring programs are becoming more common in organizations that are less than 10 years old.
   
Volunteers remain a valuable asset, but some organizations don't know how to manage them
While many organizations could not exist without their volunteers, only 29% give written feedback to their volunteers, and 27% do not formally recognize their volunteers.  As a result, volunteer turnover in many organizations is high, and volunteer satisfaction is often low.

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