When we presented CEP’s new report, “State of Nonprofits 2026: What Funders Need to Know” in a webinar last week, our attendees came prepared: We brought the data and you brought excellent questions.

Here, we return to some of those questions, offering answers where we can and resources where you can continue to learn. If you haven’t yet watched the webinar, you can find the recording on CEP’s YouTube channel.

(NB: These questions are edited and anonymized versions of attendee questions submitted via the chat during CEP’s May 12 webinar. Some include quotes, others are compiled versions of questions asked in different ways at various times. As such, none are attributed, but if you recognize a question here as yours, know that we thank you for your thoughtful contribution!)

Addressing Burnout

Q: Burnout has been a theme in CEP’s State of Nonprofits reports for years now — and this year’s data shows that the problem is getting worse, not better. What’s behind this trend? What, if anything, is different about this moment that we should be paying attention to?

This year’s “State of Nonprofits report” found that almost half of nonprofit leaders say their own burnout is “very much” a concern to them, up from just under 30% last year. That’s a significant increase over time.

What feels different now compared to similar periods of high demand for services (e.g., the COVID-19 pandemic) is that, in the last year and a half, the value of the nonprofit sector as a whole has been questioned and, in some cases, denigrated. For the many nonprofit staff who are under-resourced and navigating higher demand than ever (working at “175%” as one leader shared in our report), as well as facing broad attacks on the sector, it’s not surprising that we’re seeing a sharp uptick in burnout, lower morale, and heightened levels of stress and fear.  

– CEP Research Team

Q: Restricted or unrestricted? We’re struggling with the best way to support infrastructure and staff wellness while also providing flexibility — if we reach out to our grantees to ask about these unusual, specific needs, that would result in a restricted grant. However, we normally provide unrestricted, general operating support, which they may or may not use for staff wellness or infrastructure support. What’s the best way to help?

Read the full article about questions about the State of Nonprofits 2026 at The Center for Effective Philanthropy.