We Won’t Know Unless We Ask: In Conversation About Forthcoming CEP Research on the Current Context

This is the third in a series of occasional chats among some of CEP’s staff we’ll be posting on the blog, in which they discuss current challenges for philanthropy and nonprofits. In this conversation, CEP President Phil Buchanan talks with CEP Vice President of Research Elisha Smith Arrillaga about research CEP is conducting to track the experiences and responses of both foundations and nonprofits in the current context.

Phil: Last you and I did one of these little blog chats, Elisha, it was May, and we were discussing the state of nonprofits in the U.S. as we understood it based on a survey we conducted in February. There was a lot of concern expressed from nonprofit leaders, to say the least. I’d argue that, as the year has progressed, the environment has in some ways only become that much more challenging for nonprofits.

Many have experienced cuts in federal funding, many others are worried that such cuts are coming, and others — including human services and environmental organizations — are figuring out how to work in a totally different policy context, in which programs seen as key have been eliminated or scaled back. Can you say a little about the data we’re trying to gather on the nonprofit experience?

Elisha: Absolutely.We are now collecting data to try to understand how nonprofits have been experiencing the current and ever-changing context: in terms of their finances; the safety and well-being of their staff; risks they might be experiencing; and, crucially, the creative and innovative solutions or new partnerships they have been exploring in this time.

Phil: I know we don’t have the data yet. But you mentioned to me recently some of the feedback we have received from nonprofits just about the fact that we’re asking. Can you tell me about that and what you make of it?

Elisha: Yes, so when we first sent out the initial email letting the nonprofits on our representative Nonprofit Voice Panel know we would be conducting the survey, we received a large number of responses from nonprofits just expressing appreciation for the opportunity to share their experiences and perspectives. We saw something similar in February and both times it surprised me, because I have been a researcher a long time and it’s unusual to get profuse thank yous for surveys! It tells me something about the urgency of the moment, and how much nonprofit leaders want to be heard — and heard by funders in particular. Then, when we sent the survey itself, we had one of the highest first-day responses we have ever seen, even though it was late August!

Phil: What about the question of how foundations are responding to this context?

Elisha: We are also gathering much of the same information we’re asking of nonprofits from funders, as well as questions that are specific to funders, of course. This will be one of the first comprehensive looks at how funders are thinking about, and responding to, this context. We’re curious how funders and nonprofits alike are assessing risks — and how that may differ or be similar. For funders, we will also be asking about how they are partnering with grantees during this time and what kind of extra support, if any, they have been providing. We’re also going to dig into whether foundations increased payout and if so by how much, as well as whether they have shifted priorities or programs and if so, why.

Phil: Turning back to the nonprofit data, what about those who might say, “why do we need another survey of nonprofits — we know they’re just going to say they need larger grants and more unrestricted money.” How do you respond to that?

Elisha: Well, sure, the data we have collected over many years shows that nonprofits always need unrestricted support. And I am sure we will hear that again. But I’m also sure that’s not all we will hear. We’re in an unprecedented moment that is forcing nonprofits to think about things like mergers and collaborations and unlikely partnerships, and it’s important to document what is going on. How are their financial situations changing? What are the nuts and bolts of exactly what folks are doing right now? What are their ideas?

Because in those answers there may be lessons other nonprofits can apply, as well as lessons for funders. We won’t know unless we ask.

I think another point I’d like to make is that while there are a lot of surveys of nonprofits, many aren’t representative. They’re convenience samples and the results aren’t necessarily generalizable. Our nonprofit voice panel is designed to be representative of nonprofits across the country that receive at least some foundation funding. Our approach will also allow us to do some analysis of how nonprofits’ experiences are, or are not, varying — for example by type or size of organization or geographic location.

All of this is really important to our ability to understand what’s happening to the nonprofit sector. There is a lot of talk about sector defense, which is crucial and which I support of course. But that defense, and even the reimagining of what comes after this period of challenge, requires good data about what’s happening now.

Phil: Totally agree, not surprisingly. So these two surveys you mentioned — one of foundations and one of nonprofits — are in the field. What are the other components of this study?

Elisha: We will be complementing the survey data with interviews of both foundation and nonprofit leaders, which we’re conducting right now as well. We’ll share some preliminary results at our conference in early November and then in a report in early 2026. But then we’ll continue to gather data through 2026 as well, reporting out as we go. We’re fortunate that several foundations have stepped up to support this work but we also have a big gap to fill to fully fund this effort.

Phil: I am glad you mentioned that — because we both have been working hard to secure support for this. As you noted, the need for reliable data about the sector is especially acute right now, so I am hopeful that people will step up to fund this. I am also grateful to you, Elisha, for conceptualizing and leading this research effort — working with your great team at CEP.

Elisha: Thanks, Phil. I think, like a lot of people, I just want to be as useful as I can in this moment, so it’s a privilege to be able to do this work.  

Elisha Smith Arrillaga, Ph.D. is vice president, Research at CEP. Find her on LinkedIn. Phil Buchanan is president of the Center for Effective Philanthropy, author of the 2019 book Giving Done Right: Effective Philanthropy and Making Every Dollar Count, and co-host of the Giving Done Right podcast.