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May 15, 2025
At Escalon, we are committed to keeping our clients informed about the latest trends, challenges, and opportunities across the industries we serve. This blog post draws insights from the 2025 CBIZ Not-for-Profit Pulse Survey, a comprehensive report that provides a detailed look at the current state of the nonprofit sector. By staying on top of industry news and sharing valuable insights, we empower our clients to make informed decisions and position their organizations for success.
One of the most notable findings from the 2025 survey is the continued emphasis on financial stability and sustainability among nonprofit organizations. With ongoing economic uncertainties, many nonprofits are focused on strengthening their financial health through diverse revenue streams, strategic budgeting, and cost management. Survey respondents highlighted the importance of maintaining adequate reserves, optimizing fundraising strategies, and exploring new funding opportunities to ensure long-term viability.
The survey also revealed that talent management remains a significant challenge for nonprofits. Organizations are grappling with issues related to recruitment, retention, and employee engagement. In response, many nonprofits are investing in employee development programs, enhancing workplace culture, and offering competitive compensation packages to attract and retain top talent. These efforts are crucial in maintaining a skilled and motivated workforce that can drive organizational success.
Digital transformation continues to be a critical focus for nonprofit organizations. According to the survey, many nonprofits are leveraging technology to enhance their operations, streamline administrative processes, and improve donor engagement. From adopting cloud-based solutions to utilizing data analytics for decision-making, nonprofits are recognizing the importance of staying technologically agile to remain competitive in an increasingly digital world.
Effective board governance is another area of focus for nonprofit organizations, as highlighted in the survey. Nonprofits are working to enhance board engagement, ensure transparency, and promote accountability at the highest levels of leadership. This includes providing ongoing training for board members, implementing best practices in governance, and fostering a culture of ethical decision-making.
Diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) continue to be top priorities for nonprofits. The survey found that many organizations are making meaningful progress in promoting DEI initiatives, both internally and externally. This includes implementing inclusive hiring practices, fostering a diverse organizational culture, and ensuring that programs and services are accessible to underserved communities.
Risk management is a critical area of focus for nonprofits, as they navigate an increasingly complex operating environment. The survey indicates that many organizations are taking proactive steps to identify, assess, and mitigate risks, including financial, operational, and reputational risks. By adopting a comprehensive risk management framework, nonprofits can better prepare for unexpected challenges and safeguard their mission.
Based on the insights from the 2025 CBIZ Not-for-Profit Pulse Survey, here are a few actionable recommendations for nonprofit leaders:
The 2025 CBIZ Not-for-Profit Pulse Survey offers a valuable snapshot of the current state of the nonprofit sector, highlighting the key challenges and opportunities organizations must navigate. Whether it’s financial sustainability, workforce development, or digital transformation, the survey underscores just how critical operational alignment is to long-term impact.
At Escalon, we understand these pressures because we help nonprofits manage them every day. From streamlining back-office operations to supporting risk management and board governance, our team partners with organizations to remove friction—so you can stay focused on mission, not administration.
Our team is made up of seasoned professionals who bring years of industry experience to the table. You gain a trusted advisor who understands your business inside out.
Say goodbye to the hassles of hiring, training and managing in-house finance teams. You will never have to worry about unexpected leave of absence or retraining new employees.
Whether you’re a small business or a global powerhouse, our solutions scale with your needs. We eliminate inefficiencies, reduce costs and help you focus on growing your business.
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