Candid

Over 75.7 million people volunteer at nonprofits. 16.7% volunteer online and in-person, 1.3% volunteer online only, and 81.9% volunteer in-person only.

What advice would you give to a nonprofit that needs to recruit and retain more volunteers?

Many nonprofits couldn't continue the impactful work they do without volunteers. These tips can help: https://candid.org/blogs/proven-strategies-engaging-retaining-volunteers/

AI beyond the hype: What nonprofits really need Candid insights | Explore AI use at nonprofits to learn which AI tools work now, what to avoid, and how to implement genAI at your nonprofit to meet your goals and enhance your programs.

Remember when we were all told to drop everything and learn about blockchains? Or the metaverse? Generative AI is having that moment, so here is what you need to know right now.

Here is what your nonprofit needs to know about adopting AI today.

...trust your community to surface its visionaries and be ready to back them... the most profound change begins when we take a leap of faith. Quote by Idana Goldberg, CEO of the Russell Berrie Foundation

If you want to make an impact on your community, you need to trust the people who are closest to the problem.

Idana Goldberg of the Russell Berrie Foundation shares how they identify and support community changemakers: candid.org/blogs/what-s...

One in five foundations expect changes in grantmaking focus following 2024 election Candid insights | Delve into data on whether U.S. foundations expect to change their grantmaking focus to support nonprofits impacted by federal policy changes and funding cuts following the 2024 elec...

Dive deeper into the data and learn more about how funders are adjusting their plans following the election.

Do you expect to shift your grantmaking due to the election?

More funders expect changes now than they did after the 2016 election.

Do you expect to shift your grantmaking due to the 2024 election?

“We will focus on local organizations experiencing federal funding cuts or delays.”

“...we continue supporting community needs as we always have, but are staying informed and will make shifts if needed and possible for us.”

Did grantmakers change their giving strategies following the election?

Here is what funders have told us regarding the election.

Should foundations publicly report on the impact of their grantmaking?

Nonprofits have to write dozens of reports for funders to show the effectiveness of their work. Should foundations do the same for their own work?

Learn how the Bush Foundation is doing this: https://candid.org/blogs/why-bush-foundation-publicly-shares-its-grantmaking-performance-scorecard/

Success in grant seeking: How much money to ask for in a grant proposal Candid insights | If you’re new to grant seeking and wondering how much money to ask for in a grant proposal, use these expert tips to help you successfully determine the right amount of grant funding...

Project? Check. Budget? Check. Now you just need a funder. But how much money you should ask for depends on a few factors.

Learn how mission alignment, your relationship with the funder, and their grantmaking history can determine how much to request in your next proposal.

Before you apply for that grant, make sure it fits your needs.

Get even more advice on whether you're grant ready: https://candid.org/blogs/foundation-grant-funding-is-your-nonprofit-ready/

Know your district: Nonprofit stats by congressional district Candid insights | Use a free tool powered by Candid’s data to explore nonprofits stats by congressional district and understand how policy makers' decisions like recent funding cuts impact local commu...

Across the U.S., nonprofits fill gaps in government services, generate economic activity, and meet community needs. But these contributions often go unrecognized.

This data can help.

Most nonprofits have fewer than 10 staff members, including full and part-time. Chart shows nonprofits by staffing level with 43% having no staff (that means volunteer run only), 27% with 10 or under, 16% with 40 or under, 5% with 80 or less, 4% with 160 or less, and 6% with 160 or more.

What sizes of nonprofits have you worked for? 70% of nonprofits have less than 10 staff members, and the majority of those are volunteer-run.

Learn more about these very small nonprofits: candid.org/blogs/data-i...

Candid's team in Philadephia

Is your nonprofit working onsite, remotely, or hybrid?

Candid's team works remote and hybrid, but we love getting together in-person at our annual all-staff gathering.

Generative AI for nonprofits: Practical tips for starting small and building smart Candid insights | Discover practical tips on generative AI for nonprofits, including how to get started and pitfalls to avoid when using genAI tools to support your organization’s mission-driven work.

Get even more advice, including the green flags for AI use, on Candid insights.

4. Don’t forget to support your staff

Staff need to have guidance and training before they use AI tools.

Building confidence, especially for nontechnical staff and staff takes time, but is worth the effort.

3. Don’t ignore data ethics

Free and easily accessible AI tools are convenient. But using them without clear guidelines can put sensitive data at risk.

Create an AI policy so staff know what tools to use, what they can and can’t input, and how to review it.

2. Don’t fall for the ‘AI does it all’ myth

AI is not free of misconceptions, bias, or misunderstandings.

Because of this, it’s important that humans always review the outcomes of AI work to catch these issues.

1. Don’t have “shiny object syndrome”

AI is helpful when introduced to make your work more efficient or advances your mission, not simply to “keep up” because everyone else’s talking about it.

Don’t rush to use AI. Find a real use and purpose.

Thinking about using AI at your nonprofit? Don't do these 4 things

Before you use that free AI tool for grantwriting, read this.

Federal government AI adoption: What nonprofits need to know Candid insights | Learn why federal government AI adoption may pose challenging implications for nonprofits in the U.S. and what leaders can do now to prepare and protect their missions.

The federal government’s rapid adoption of AI is already impacting nonprofits and the people they serve. It's time to prepare your nonprofit.

Learn how AI is being used and what impact it might have on your nonprofit: candid.org/blogs/implic...

Younger generations are more likely to give monthly to nonprofits. The chart shows this, with less than 30% of Gen X and boomers giving monthly to a cause, and millennials at almost 60% preferring to give monthly.

Do you prefer to give on a monthly or occasional basis?

Learn more about the differences in giving by generation: https://candid.org/blogs/what-motivates-donors-charitable-giving-across-generations-trends/

Communicating program impact in a grant proposal Candid insights | Communicating program impact in a grant proposal is key to securing funding. Get tips on how to do this in a compelling way.

There is a lot of competition for funding, so you need to grab the funder’s attention. Use these tips to show your impact and stand out.

A better Candid for greater nonprofit impact Candid insights | Integrating data from GuideStar and Foundation Directory into one user-friendly platform, the new Candid search better helps donors find nonprofits to support and fundraisers to shar...

Candid just got supercharged!

Learn more about the new Candid search and how it can help your nonprofit reach even more supporters.

Getting new donors is tough. But keeping them is even harder. 81% do a first-time donation only; Second-time donation only is 9.5%; and Third-time donation or more is 9.5%

What strategies does your nonprofit use to retain donors?

Getting and keeping donors can be tough. Get tips on how to keep your supporters engaged for the long-term: blog.candid.org/post/engage-...

People often misunderstand the work that nonprofits do, from how much it costs to run their programs to the real impact it has on your community.

What misunderstandings do you notice?

Know your district: Nonprofit stats by congressional district Candid insights | Use a free tool powered by Candid’s data to explore nonprofits stats by congressional district and understand how policy makers' decisions like recent funding cuts impact local commu...

Candid's new free tool helps you explore nonprofits by congressional district. You can see just how many nonprofits there are in your area, what they do, and how much money they run on.

Learn more about the data and how you can use it to advocate for nonprofits.

There’s a widespread misconception that charity is just for the “less fortunate”... [But] it’s more important than ever that the public see how nonprofits support, expand, and enrich their lives. Lori Guidry, Educational Programming Manager Candid

Only 5.4% of Americans think they or their family got help from a nonprofit in the last year. But most folks don’t realize how many different kinds of nonprofits are out there.

Learn why its key for folks to understand how nonprofits touch the lives of everyone: blog.candid.org/post/how-we-...

Transparency boosts contributions to nonprofits—by 62% Candid insights | A new study’s data confirms that nonprofit transparency, or publicly sharing information about an organization’s work and impact by earning a Candid Seal of Transparency, boosts dono...

Being transparent pays off! Publicly sharing your nonprofit’s work, impact, and financials can help raise an average 62% more in contributions.

Learn how we calculated this and what you can do to benefit from our findings.

Are funders really listening? Here is how many funders nonprofits said have an understanding of community needs: 2% said none, 70% said a few or some, and 24% said most or all.

Do you think your funders are truly listening to what your community needs?

71% of funders say yes, but only 24% of nonprofit leaders agree.

Learn more: blog.candid.org/post/priorit...

What is the most overused nonprofit phrase right now? Here is what our audience said: “Now more than ever” said 5%. “Unprecedented times” said 32%. “Uncertain times” said 45%. “In this moment” said 17%.

Over the last six months, we've caught ourselves using the same phrases over and over to describe the situation that nonprofits are facing. So, we asked you what phrase you've been saying too much.

What else should we add to the list?