Samwise Nonprofits and Charities Newsletter
Monday, May 18, 2026
Nonprofit Sector Reports Record Burnout and Financial Strain in 2026 CEP Survey
The Center for Effective Philanthropy released its 2026 State of Nonprofits report this week, based on a nationally representative survey of 380 nonprofit leaders. The findings are stark: 73 percent of CEOs report increased demand for services, while 90 percent express concern about staff burnout. Nearly half—46 percent—say burnout is a “very much” concern, up from roughly 30 percent in 2025. Two-thirds worry about financial stability, and 30 percent have already reduced staff size. CEP president Phil Buchanan called the current situation “unlike anything I have seen in my 25 years working in philanthropy.”
Sources: Fortune
Bonterra Report Finds $155 Billion in Annual Charitable Giving Left Unrealized
Nonprofit software company Bonterra released its 2026 Impact Report, finding that more than $155 billion in potential charitable giving goes unrealized annually in the United States. Despite charitable giving holding steady at 2.5 percent of GDP for decades, 80 percent of donors and 65 percent of nonprofit leaders surveyed believe the sector could reach 3 percent of GDP by 2033. The report identifies digital friction, lack of workplace giving access, and limited donor engagement as the primary barriers. Bonterra argues that removing these structural obstacles—particularly through nonprofit technology adoption—could unlock the latent giving capacity.
Sources: Business Wire
TIME Names 2026 TIME100 Philanthropy List, Spotlighting Global Giving Leaders
TIME magazine published its 2026 TIME100 Philanthropy list on Thursday, naming 100 individuals whose generosity is shaping charitable giving globally. The list features two worldwide cover subjects: Michael and Susan Dell, co-founders of the Michael & Susan Dell Foundation, and actors Idris Elba and Sabrina Dhowre Elba of the Elba Hope Foundation. MacKenzie Scott—who has donated more than $26 billion since 2019—and Jaymes Black, CEO of The Trevor Project, are among the honorees. The issue appears in TIME’s May 25 print edition and marks the second annual iteration of the list.
Sources: TIME
William Penn Foundation Awards $57.2 Million Across 128 Grants in Philadelphia Region
The William Penn Foundation announced 128 new grants totaling $57.2 million across its May 2026 grantmaking cycle, spanning arts education, environmental conservation, and child-serving advocacy in the Philadelphia region. The environmental portfolio received $19.7 million, supporting projects that address illegal dumping prevention, urban farming, and open-space conservation. The arts and culture program awarded $7.1 million in three-year general operating support to regional organizations. An additional $5.1 million went to advocacy groups working to increase public funding for child-serving systems. The grants target what the foundation calls a “more vital and just city and region for all” residents.
Sources: The Philadelphia Inquirer
Good Neighbor Day America Draws 120-Plus Cities for National Day of Service on May 16
Good Neighbor Day America, the national day of service tied to America’s 250th anniversary, mobilized more than 120 cities across all 50 states for a coordinated day of volunteerism on May 16. National partners including Feeding America, AmeriCorps, Trellis International, and Chick-fil-A joined the America250 initiative aimed at inspiring 250 million acts of kindness. Activities ranged from neighborhood cleanups and food drives to park beautification and senior center visits, with thousands of organizations posting service opportunities on the GNDA platform. AmeriCorps Chief of Staff Mark Lloyd described the initiative as “deepening their commitment to a lifetime of service.”
Sources: PR Newswire
Faith Communities Join Secular Nonprofits Nationwide for Good Neighbor Day America
Houses of worship joined secular nonprofits and community organizations on May 16 for Good Neighbor Day America, the national day of service marking America’s 250th anniversary. Churches, synagogues, mosques, and other faith-based communities organized service projects spanning all 50 states, including school beautification, meal distribution, elderly assistance, and park restoration. The Religion News Service noted that participants of faith and those without religious affiliation worked side by side throughout the day. More than 1,500 service sites were confirmed nationwide, with organizers calling it one of the most broadly coordinated national volunteer days in recent U.S. history.
Sources: Religion News Service
White House and Congress Recognize Salvation Army During National Week Marking 161 Years of Service
The White House and Congress formally recognized National Salvation Army Week, observed May 11–17, 2026, with a presidential commendation for the organization’s 161-year history of service to Americans in need. The Salvation Army operates more than 7,000 centers of operations across the United States, providing food assistance, disaster relief, rehabilitation services, and shelter programs. The bipartisan congressional recognition notes that since 1865 the organization has served as a cornerstone of America’s voluntary social safety net. The White House message characterized the Salvation Army’s work as a “living testament to the Nation’s enduring traditions of generosity, goodwill, and volunteerism.”
Sources: The Independent
Curated by JD · samwise.agency
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