Bonterra Report Finds $155 Billion in Potential Charitable Giving Remains Unrealized Each Year

A new report from nonprofit technology provider Bonterra finds that more than $155 billion in potential charitable giving goes unrealized annually in the United States, representing the gap between current donation levels and a target of 3% of GDP. Charitable giving has remained stagnant at roughly 2.5% of GDP for decades. The report, released May 14, outlines a data-backed strategy to close that gap by 2033, noting that 80% of donors and 65% of nonprofit leaders say the goal is achievable. Bonterra argues the challenge lies not in donor intent but in how giving systems are designed and supported over time.

Sources: NonProfit PRO

State of Nonprofits 2026 Report Reveals Deepening Financial Instability Across Sector

The Center for Effective Philanthropy released its fourth annual State of Nonprofits report in May, surveying 380 nonprofit leaders nationwide and finding that 66% now express serious concerns about their organization’s financial stability. The share of respondents reporting operating deficits rose sharply to 39%, up from 22% in 2022. Nearly three-quarters of nonprofit CEOs report increased demand for services, while 30% have already reduced staff size since early 2025. Almost 60% say it has become harder to secure foundation grants, and burnout is a concern for nearly 90% of leaders surveyed in the nationally representative panel.

Sources: Center for Effective Philanthropy

SNAP Participation Falls 3.5 Million in Steepest Decline in Decades After Federal Cuts

The Center on Budget and Policy Priorities reports that participation in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program has dropped by more than 3.5 million people—nearly 9%—between the One Big Beautiful Bill Act’s July 2025 enactment and early 2026. The decline has hit every state, with 38 states seeing drops of 5% or more. Starting in October 2026, federal administrative cost-sharing will be halved, and states including Illinois and Georgia now require households to recertify eligibility twice as often. Food banks and nonprofit hunger relief organizations face surging demand as eligible families lose benefits to administrative burdens.

Sources: Center on Budget and Policy Priorities

National Council of Nonprofits Warns New Tax Law Could Cost Sector $81 Billion Over Decade

The National Council of Nonprofits has published its analysis of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act’s impact on charitable organizations, finding that while the new universal charitable deduction for non-itemizers may generate $74 billion over ten years, offsetting provisions that disincentivize giving could reduce sector resources by at least $81 billion. The law introduces a 0.5% AGI floor on itemized deductions, caps the benefit for high-income donors at 35%, and expands the 21% excise tax on nonprofit employee compensation exceeding $1 million. The net result, the Council warns, is fewer total resources available for mission-driven work.

Sources: National Council of Nonprofits

Center for Disaster Philanthropy Awards $6.8 Million for Hurricane Helene Recovery in Western North Carolina

The Center for Disaster Philanthropy has announced $6.8 million in new grants from the Truist Foundation-supported Western North Carolina Recovery and Resiliency Fund for ongoing Hurricane Helene recovery efforts. The fund has now distributed more than $14 million across the region since its January 2025 launch, supporting locally led organizations focused on equitable recovery. Grant recipients include groups working on housing reconstruction, small business revitalization, community health services, and disaster case management for displaced residents. Truist Foundation’s overall commitment to the fund totals $21 million as part of a sustained, multi-year storm recovery strategy.

Sources: Center for Disaster Philanthropy

New AI-Powered Fundraising Tools Debut at AFP ICON 2026 Conference

The Association of Fundraising Professionals’ flagship ICON conference in San Diego showcased a wave of artificial intelligence tools designed for the nonprofit sector. Blackbaud introduced its Development Agent, an agentic AI product that automates personalized donor outreach at scale and earned Microsoft’s Certified Software for Non-Profit AI designation for enterprise-grade security. Bloomerang debuted Conversational Reporting, allowing any staff member to generate custom reports using plain language queries. Moore launched SimioAccelerate, a data-as-a-service platform leveraging proprietary giving signals. The announcements signal growing mainstream adoption of AI in nonprofit fundraising operations nationwide.

Sources: The NonProfit Times

Foundation Source Survey Finds 93% of High-Net-Worth Donors Will Maintain or Increase Giving

A new survey from Foundation Source of 350 private foundation and donor-advised fund holders finds that 93% plan to maintain or increase their charitable giving in 2026 despite economic and political uncertainty. Nearly half of respondents plan to give more than in 2025, citing strong portfolio performance and increased community need as primary drivers. Education and human services top the list of priority cause areas for the year ahead. Economic conditions, the political environment, and stock market performance are the leading factors shaping donor outlooks. Only 6% plan to reduce giving, with most citing a strategic pause rather than financial constraint.

Sources: Foundation Source

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