By the numbers
Nonprofit communications by the numbers, 2026
Last updated: November 2026 · Published by Beltway Media
What do the 2026 statistics say about nonprofit communications?
The 2026 statistics show nonprofit leaders under pressure and communications often misunderstood: 46% of nonprofit CEOs called their burnout very much a concern, 39% of nonprofits reported a deficit in 2025, and only 5% of respondents said colleagues understand their communications role very well. Beltway Media collected these published figures with their sources below.
Statistics
Leadership and finances
- of nonprofit CEOs said their own burnout is very much a concern in 2026, up from just under 30% in 2025.
- 46%
- Source: Center for Effective Philanthropy, State of Nonprofits 2026
- of nonprofits reported a deficit in 2025, up from 22% in 2022.
- 39%
- Source: Center for Effective Philanthropy, State of Nonprofits 2026
- said securing foundation grants had gotten harder.
- 57%
- Source: Rodriguez Community Group, Top Nonprofit Consulting Firms in 2026
Statistics
How communications is understood
- of respondents say their communications role is understood very well by colleagues.
- 5%
- Source: Nonprofit Marketing Guide, 2026 Nonprofit Communications Trends
Statistics
Email and tracking
- of nonprofits use email marketing.
- 83%
- Source: NPTechforGood, 2026 Email Marketing Statistics for Nonprofits
- of nonprofits use segmented email lists.
- 67%
- Source: NPTechforGood, 2026 Email Marketing Statistics for Nonprofits
- of nonprofits use personalization in their email marketing.
- 63%
- Source: NPTechforGood, 2026 Email Marketing Statistics for Nonprofits
- of nonprofits use UTM codes to track email performance.
- 34%
- Source: NPTechforGood, 2026 Email Marketing Statistics for Nonprofits
Statistics
Paid visibility
- per month: what Google offers eligible nonprofits to use on Google Ads through its nonprofit program.
- $10,000
- Source: DNL OmniMedia, Nonprofit Marketing Consulting
What it means
What these numbers mean for a nonprofit communications plan
Taken together, these figures describe organizations doing more with less: leaders stretched, budgets tighter, foundation grants harder to win, and communications staff whose role is rarely understood. In that setting, clear messaging and dependable stakeholder communications protect relationships with donors, members, and funders when they matter most.
The email figures also point to easy wins. Most nonprofits already send email, but far fewer track it with UTM codes, so many cannot see which messages drive gifts. The development team checklist includes those basics. For the broader approach, see the main guide to nonprofit communications consulting.
Every number on this page comes from the named external source, not from Beltway Media's own research. The Center for Effective Philanthropy notes its survey had a 43% response rate.
FAQ
Common questions
Short answers to the questions nonprofit leaders ask most. See all 47 answers on the nonprofit communications FAQ.
- Why would a nonprofit hire an outside communications consultant?
- Most nonprofits hire outside help when communications needs outgrow what staff can handle, but a full-time senior hire is not realistic. Nonprofit Marketing Guide's 2026 trends report found only 5% of respondents say their communications role is understood very well by colleagues. A senior outside advisor can set strategy, earn leadership buy-in, and give existing staff a clear plan to execute.
- Is communications consulting worth it for a small nonprofit?
- It can be, if it is scoped to fit. Small nonprofits often have one person handling communications alongside other jobs, and a focused engagement can give that person a clear strategy to work from. Leadership capacity is stretched: the Center for Effective Philanthropy reports 46% of nonprofit CEOs called their own burnout very much a concern in 2026.
- Is email still worth it for nonprofit communications?
- Yes. NPTechforGood's 2026 statistics report that 83% of nonprofits use email marketing, 67% use segmented email lists, and 63% use personalization in their email marketing. Email is a direct channel you own, which matters as social and search platforms change. The development team checklist on this site includes the email basics worth confirming.
- Can nonprofits get free Google advertising?
- Yes, through Google's nonprofit program. DNL OmniMedia's guide to nonprofit marketing consulting notes that Google offers a program that gives nonprofits $10,000 each month to use on Google Ads. Eligibility rules apply, so check Google for Nonprofits directly. Paid visibility works best once your core messaging is clear.
- How should we communicate about budget cuts or a deficit?
- Be direct and early with the people most affected, especially staff, board, and major donors, before they hear it elsewhere. Explain the cause, the plan, and what support helps. This is increasingly common: the Center for Effective Philanthropy reports the share of nonprofits reporting a deficit rose to 39% in 2025, up from 22% in 2022.
Talk to a senior communications leader about your nonprofit.
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