Is burnout impacting nonprofit leaders or staff?
Chronic workplace stress — for both staff and leadership — is a top concern for most nonprofit leaders. The Center for Effective Philanthropy’s “State of Nonprofits 2024: What Funders Need to Know” survey found that half of nonprofit leaders feel more concerned about their own burnout than at the same time last year. In fact, one-third are “very much” concerned about their own burnout. LGBTQ+, women and nonbinary/gender-nonconforming leaders report higher levels of concern.
Almost all of the leaders surveyed (95%) expressed some concern about burnout among staff. More than one-third reported that staff burnout had been “very much” a concern to them in the previous year. Especially concerning is the finding that about 75% of respondents said burnout among staff is affecting their organization’s ability to accomplish its mission. A quarter said that staff burnout is having a moderate or significant impact.
IRS scrutinizes DAF industry
In May 2024, the IRS held a public hearing to discuss its plan to regulate donor-advised funds (DAFs). Among other things, the agency’s proposed regulations would expand the definition of a DAF and impose new penalties on those who abuse the funds. More than 30 speakers provided input at their hearing.
Many of them voiced concern that the proposals would create a compliance burden and have a chilling effect on the growth of DAFs, in turn slowing the flow of financial support to nonprofits. They worry that the proposed regulations also would disincentivize other types of funds that would fall into the expanded definition of a DAF. Some commenters suggested the proposed regulations would divert assets from community foundations to private foundations. Commenters also urged that any final regulations apply only prospectively — not retroactively.
Highlighting Gen Z givers’ traits
The Blackbaud Institute’s new report “Gen Z at the Table: A Special Edition of the Next Generation of Giving” contradicts some of the myths about people born between the late 1990s and early 2000s and provides valuable insights on how to reach them. Among other findings, it reveals that nearly 85% of surveyed Gen Zers support a charity in some way, whether by donating, following/promoting, volunteering or advocating.
Their giving is largely motivated by belief in an organization’s mission. About 70% say impact reporting is likely to increase their giving, and almost 60% say a mailed thank-you letter would motivate them. The report highlights the importance of providing giving opportunities that “fit in the flow of their daily lives,” such as point-of-purchase or check-out donations and via social media. A surprising number (42%) say they tend to engage spontaneously with causes and organizations.
