2012 PA Charitable Organizations Survey

Response Summary

Total Started Survey: 289
Total Finished Survey: 271 (93.8%)

Policy Issues

1. In general, do you think business conditions in Pennsylvania are BETTER, about the SAME, or WORSE than they were one year ago?

	Response Percent	Response Count
BETTER	20.8%	60
ABOUT THE SAME	55.6%	160
WORSE	23.6%	68
answered question		288
skipped question		1

2. Looking ahead one year, do you expect business conditions to be BETTER, about the SAME, or WORSE than they are today?

	Response Percent	Response Count
BETTER	33.8%	97
ABOUT THE SAME	47.0%	135
WORSE	19.2%	55
answered question		287
skipped question		2

3. Are employment levels at your organization HIGHER, about the SAME, or LOWER than they were one year ago?

	Response Percent	Response Count
HIGHER	17.5%	50
ABOUT THE SAME	56.1%	160
LOWER	26.3%	75
answered question		285
skipped question		4

4. Looking ahead one year, do you expect employment levels at your organization to be HIGHER, about the SAME, or LOWER than they are today?

	Response Percent	Response Count
HIGHER	20.7%	59
ABOUT THE SAME	66.7%	190
LOWER	12.6%	36
answered question		285
skipped question		4

5. What impact has the ongoing economic downturn had on your organization?

	Response Percent	Response Count
SIGNIFICANT NEGATIVE IMPACT	24.7%	71
SOMEWHAT NEGATIVE IMPACT	57.5%	165
NO IMPACT	11.5%	33
SOMEWHAT POSITIVE IMPACT	5.6%	16
SIGNIFICANT POSITIVE IMPACT	0.7%	2
answered question		287
skipped question		2

6. Has the ongoing economic downturn caused your organization to increase services, decrease services, or has the level of services provided remained about the same?

	Response Percent	Response Count
INCREASED SERVICES	24.1%	69
ABOUT THE SAME	50.0%	143
DECREASED SERVICES	25.9%	74
answered question		286
skipped question		3

7. Has your organization had to do any of the following as a result of the ongoing economic downturn:

	YES	NO	DON’T KNOW/REFUSED	Response Count
LAY-OFF STAFF	31.9% (90)	65.6% (185)	2.5% (7)	282
REDUCE EMPLOYEE HOURS	28.8% (81)	69.0% (194)	2.1% (6)	281
CUT SALARIES	9.7% (27)	85.2% (236)	5.1% (14)	277
CUT OR ELIMINATE BENEFITS	26.5% (74)	68.8% (192)	4.7% (13)	279
DISCONTINUE SOME SERVICES	33.7% (94)	63.8% (178)	2.5% (7)	279
BORROW OPERATING MONEY	26.5% (74)	66.3% (185)	7.2% (20)	279
CANCEL OR POSTPONE EXPANSION PLANS	38.4% (108)	54.1% (152)	7.5% (21)	281
answered question				285
skipped question				4

8. If your organization receives state funding, has your level of funding INCREASED, DECREASED, or stayed ABOUT THE SAME over the past year?

	Response Percent	Response Count
INCREASED	3.1%	9
ABOUT THE SAME	17.8%	51
DECREASED	42.0%	120
DON’T RECEIVE STATE FUNDING	37.1%	106
answered question		286
skipped question		3

9. Would you say the current level of public trust in charities is:

	Response Percent	Response Count
HIGH	20.9%	60
MEDIUM	62.7%	180
LOW	10.5%	30
NO OPINION/REFUSED	5.9%	17
answered question		287
skipped question		2

10. Would you say the level of public trust in charities has IMPROVED or GOTTEN WORSE over the past couple of years?

	Response Percent	Response Count
SIGNIFICANTLY IMPROVED	1.4%	4
SOMEWHAT IMPROVED	19.7%	56
ABOUT THE SAME	45.1%	128
SOMEWHAT WORSE	28.2%	80
SIGNIFICANTLY WORSE	1.1%	3
NO OPINION/REFUSED	4.6%	13
answered question		284
skipped question		5

11. To what extent are you familiar with the term "Community Benefit Organization"?

	Response Percent	Response Count
FAMILIAR WITH THE TERM	40.4%	115
HEARD TERM. BUT NOT CLEAR ABOUT ITS MEANING	27.4%	78
NEVER HEARD THE TERM	32.3%	92
answered question		285
skipped question		4

12. Do you find the term "Community Benefit Organization" to be MORE ATTRACTIVE or LESS ATTRACTIVE than the term "Nonprofit Organization"?

	Response Percent	Response Count
MUCH MORE ATTRACTIVE	15.5%	44
SOMEWHAT MORE ATTRACTIVE	25.7%	73
ABOUT THE SAME	15.1%	43
SOMEWHAT LESS ATTRACTIVE	19.4%	55
MUCH LESS ATTRACTIVE	12.3%	35
NO OPINION/REFUSED	12.0%	34
answered question		284
skipped question		5

13. Has anyone from your organization registered as a lobbyist under the Pennsylvania Lobbying Disclosure Act?

	Response Percent	Response Count
YES	6.0%	17
NO	82.3%	233
DON’T KNOW/REFUSED	11.7%	33
answered question		283
skipped question		6

14. On any public policy issue during the past year did your organization lobby:

	YES	NO	DON’T KNOW	Response Count
FEDERAL GOVERNMENT	19.1% (53)	72.2% (200)	8.7% (24)	277
STATE GOVERNMENT	28.8% (81)	62.6% (176)	8.5% (24)	281
COUNTY GOVERNMENT	18.5% (51)	72.5% (200)	9.1% (25)	276
LOCAL GOVERNMENT	15.2% (42)	76.2% (211)	8.7% (24)	277
answered question				284
skipped question				5

15. Does your organization PLAN to lobby government at any level on any public policy issue during the coming year?

	Response Percent	Response Count
YES	29.4%	83
NO	51.4%	145
DON’T KNOW/REFUSED	19.1%	54
answered question		282
skipped question		7

16. Does your organization have a board approved policy on advocacy and/or public policy?

	Response Percent	Response Count
YES	45.9%	129
NO	34.2%	96
DON’T KNOW/REFUSED	19.9%	56
answered question		281
skipped question		8

17. When it comes to your personal responsibilities for lobbying would you:

	YES	NO	DON’T KNOW/REFUSED	Response Count
BENEFIT FROM TRAINING	44.4% (123)	36.5% (101)	19.1% (53)	277
BENEFIT FROM FACE-TO-FACE BRIEFINGS	37.7% (104)	42.0% (116)	20.3% (56)	276
READ BRIEFINGS	57.7% (161)	23.3% (65)	19.0% (53)	279
answered question				285
skipped question				4

18. Do you provide health insurance to your employees?

	Response Percent	Response Count
CURRENTLY PROVIDE HEALTH INSURANCE	79.6%	227
PREVIOUSLY PROVIDED, BUT DISCONTINUED	2.8%	8
DO NOT PROVIDE, BUT PLAN TO IN THE FUTURE	3.5%	10
HAVE NO PLANS TO PROVIDE INSURANCE	11.9%	34
DON’T KNOW/REFUSED	2.1%	6
answered question		285
skipped question		4

19. If you provide health insurance, who pays the premium?

	Response Percent	Response Count
EMPLOYER PAYS FULL PREMIUM	32.2%	88
EMPLOYEE PAYS FULL PREMIUM	0.7%	2
SPLIT/MAJOR PORTION PAID BY EMPLOYER	47.6%	130
SPLIT/MAJOR PORTION PAID BY EMPLOYEE	0.7%	2
50/50 SPLIT EMPLOYER/EMPLOYEE	2.2%	6
DO NOT OFFER/WILL NOT OFFER INSURANCE	12.5%	34
DON’T KNOW/REFUSED	4.0%	11
answered question		273
skipped question		16

Organizational Issues

20. Since the beginning of the year has income to your organization from all sources:

	Response Percent	Response Count
INCREASED SIGNIFICANTLY	0.4%	1
INCREASED MODERATELY	21.0%	56
STAYED ABOUT THE SAME	37.1%	99
DECREASED MODERATELY	26.6%	71
DECREASED SIGNIFICANTLY	13.9%	37
DON’T KNOW/REFUSED	1.1%	3
answered question		267
skipped question		22

21. Generally speaking, do you expect to see funding for 2012 INCREASE, DECREASE, or STAY ABOUT THE SAME as it was in 2011?

	Response Percent	Response Count
INCREASE	21.0%	56
STAY ABOUT THE SAME	48.3%	129
DECREASE	26.2%	70
DON’T KNOW/NO OPINION	4.5%	12
answered question		267
skipped question		22

22. Approximately what percentage of your funding in 2012 came from the following sources?

[td c3]

	0-10%	11-20%	21-30%	31-40%	41-50%	51-60%	61-70%	71-80%	81-90%	91-100%	DON’T KNOW/REFUSED	Response Count
FOUNDATIONS	53.2% (132)	16.5% (41)	9.3% (23)	3.2% (8)	2.0% (5)	2.8% (7)	0.8% (2)	1.6% (4)	1.2% (3)	0.8% (2)	8.5% (21)	248
FEDERAL FUNDING	58.7% (138)	6.8% (16)	5.5% (13)	5.1% (12)	4.3% (10)	2.6% (6)	2.6% (6)	1.3% (3)	0.4% (1)	0.9% (2)	11.9% (28)	235
STATE FUNDING	48.1% (112)	8.2% (19)	10.3% (24)	7.7% (18)	4.3% (10)	1.7% (4)	2.1% (5)	3.4% (8)	3.0% (7)	0.9% (2)	10.3% (24)	233
COUNTY/LOCAL FUNDING	55.4% (128)	10.4% (24)	6.9% (16)	6.5% (15)	0.9% (2)	4.3% (10)	3.5% (8)	1.3% (3)	0.4% (1)	0.4% (1)	10.0% (23)	231
INDIVIDUALS	37.2% (93)	16.8% (42)	10.8% (27)	5.2% (13)	5.6% (14)	3.6% (9)	3.2% (8)	2.4% (6)	4.4% (11)	2.8% (7)	8.0% (20)	250
PROGRAM FEES	46.8% (111)	12.2% (29)	7.6% (18)	5.9% (14)	4.2% (10)	3.8% (9)	0.8% (2)	1.7% (4)	3.8% (9)	3.0% (7)	10.1% (24)	237
answered question			262
skipped question			27

23. Generally speaking, do you have GREATER, ABOUT THE SAME, or LESS ability to fulfill your organization’s core mission this year than in past years?

	Response Percent	Response Count
GREATER	17.2%	46
ABOUT THE SAME	55.4%	148
LESS	26.2%	70
DON’T KNOW/REFUSED	1.1%	3
answered question		267
skipped question		22

24. How would the reduction or loss of the Federal tax charitable contribution deduction affect your organization?

	Response Percent	Response Count
SIGNIFICANT NEGATIVE EFFECT	40.1%	107
MODERATE NEGATIVE EFFECT	34.8%	93
NO EFFECT	9.7%	26
MODERATE POSITIVE EFFECT	1.1%	3
SIGNIFICANT POSITIVE EFFECT	0.7%	2
DON’T KNOW/REFUSED	13.5%	36
answered question		267
skipped question		22

25. Does your organization use social media? (Check all that apply)

	Response Percent	Response Count
TWITTER	42.3%	99
FACEBOOK	93.2%	218
LINKED IN	44.9%	105
YOU TUBE	32.1%	75
BLOGGING	22.6%	53
PINTEREST	7.7%	18
GOOGLE+ (AS INDIVIDUALS TO PROMOTE YOUR ORGANIZATION)	14.5%	34
Other * don’t use social media * very little use of both * Network for Good, email, Manta * Use of social media is limited by staff time to attend to various aspects. * Org Website * Instagram * no * website * goodsearch.com * just organizing to use * not sure * Constant Contact * Email marketing * Website		14
	answered question	234
	skipped question	55

26. Have you tried to raise money through social media?

	Response Percent	Response Count
NO	64.5%	171
TRIED, RAISED UNDER $100	6.0%	16
TRIED, RAISED $100-$999	12.5%	33
TRIED, RAISED OVER $1,000	12.1%	32
TRIED, RAISED OVER $10,000	4.9%	13
answered question		265
skipped question		24

27. Is your organization contemplating any type of material change in 2013?

	Response Percent	Response Count
MERGER	3.8%	10
LIMITED LIABILITY CORPORATION	0.0%	0
CLOSING YOUR DOORS	0.0%	0
EXPANDING OPERATIONS	9.8%	26
MOVING YOUR OFFICES	5.6%	15
NO CHANGE	73.7%	196
Other * Merger in the future. * rebranding * re-structuring of staff * Opened an additional office to expand literacy classes * researching merger * closing doors if no merger/partnership can be consummated * not certain what we will change at this time * always exploring strategic alliances with other orgs * retirement of CEO * Consolidating Site Locations * To Be Determined * MSO * Leadership Transistion * Partner unofficially by sharing costs with other org * Another organization is becoming a susidiary of us * possible merger * Looking at options * not sure what yet * Likely that something will change, but whether merger or closing doors, or even expansion not yet clear.	7.1%	19
answered question		266
skipped question		23

28. Does your organization have difficulty hiring/retaining qualfied staff?

	Response Percent	Response Count
YES	32.2%	86
NO	62.2%	166
DON’T KNOW/REFUSED	5.6%	15
	answered question	267
skipped question		22

29. If your organization does have difficult hiring/retaining qualified staff, what is the cause of that difficulty?

	Response Percent	Response Count
OUR SALARY OFFERS ARE LOWER	41.4%	48
FOR PROFITS OFFER BETTERS SALARY/BENEFIT PACKAGES	14.7%	17
INADEQUATE PREPARATIONS OF PROSPECTIVE EMPLOYEES	12.1%	14
INABILITY TO PROVIDE BENEFITS	3.4%	4
Other * we only have 1 full time and 1 part time paid employee * Our organization is new, this does not apply * no time to mentor / train them * Peoples lack of interest in volunteering. * not applicable * No funds for staff * all volunteer * An unfortunate side effect of the poor economy is that candidates who, otherwise, may have declined lower salary offers are accepting the compensation offered. If a potential candidate has other options or an offer with a higher salary, s/he may decline our offer. * all of the above * Some good people leave for better salaries. * Do not know * no raise within the last 5 years * internal struggles * n/a * Hard to find qualified part time employees willing to work part time * n/a * no salary available at all for increased staffing * lack of professionals who are willing to live in a rural area * I am the only staff member and I am grossly underpaid * no issues * odd shifts, low pay, demanding jobs * No difficulty * Hard to find pediatrician to come to innner city and deal with lower income * can only offer parttime * no hired staff * n/a * limited number of aulified candidates * Lack of effective board support * Our salaries are very low, even compared to other nonprofits. * Poor organizational culture * All of the Above! * no problem * n/a	28.4%	33
answered question		116
skipped question		173

30. Which issue(s) has your organization experienced challenges in regarding the recruitment of good Board members?

	Response Percent	Response Count
NON-PROFIT SCANDALS	0.4%	1
LIABILITY	0.8%	2
LACK OF TIME	37.8%	91
PEOPLE ALREADY COMMITTED TO OTHER ORGANIZATIONS	29.0%	70
NOT WILLING TO FUNDRAISE FOR OUR ORGAIZATION	19.9%	48
Other * limited to qualified family * NONE * Lack of diversity * don’t know * lack of qualified people * qualified board members who understand non-profits and have good business perspectives * We have not had any trouble recruiting good board members * Lack of time, other commitments, reluctance to fund raise — question indicated multiple responses; however, the format would accept only one * No effort being made to do so. * N/A * no issues * disengaged with agency * Same board members for 10+ years * 51% of our board members must be consumers * no issues * N/A * all the above except #1 and #2 * able to find good board members * Willing to fundraise in limited sense, but not well connected * no issues. * none * Specific affiliation required for some members. * None * No problem * 51% of the Board must have a disability. Not easy to find needed skill sets and a disability. * #s 3, 4 & 5 – You really should have allowed multiple answers in some of these questions. * UNKNOWN * Current Board has lacked the leadership and knowhow of recruting good Board members * none	12.0%	29
	answered question	241
	skipped question	48

31. Does your organization have adequate knowledge to ensure accurate reporting of management, program and fundraising expenses?

	Response Percent	Response Count
YES	84.8%	224
NO	10.2%	27
DON’T KNOW/REFUSED	4.9%	13
answered question		264
skipped question		25

32. Do you feel your organization has adequate knowledge of all nonprofit legal and regulatory compliance issues?

	Response Percent	Response Count
YES	72.5%	192
NO	20.0%	53
DON’T KNOW/REFUSED	7.5%	20
	answered question	265
	skipped question	24

33. Has your organization been engaged in any challenges over your property tax exemption over the past two years?

	Response Percent	Response Count
YES	7.9%	21
NO	82.3%	219
DON’T KNOW	9.8%	26
answered question		266
skipped question		23

34. Are you concerned that local/county government may be preparing to challenge your property tax exemption in the near future?

	Response Percent	Response Count
YES	19.9%	51
NO	80.1%	205
answered question		256
skipped question		33

35. Would you regularly like to receive information on policy issues (state and national) that impact nonprofit organizations?

	Response Percent	Response Count
YES	83.8%	223
NO	8.6%	23
DON’T KNOW/REFUSED	7.5%	20
answered question		266
skipped question		23

36. IF YES, with what frequency would you like to receive information on state and national policy issues?

	Response Percent	Response Count
DAILY	0.8%	2
WEEKLY	31.0%	76
MONTHLY	59.6%	146
DON’T KNOW/REFUSED	8.6%	21
answered question		245
skipped question		44

37. IF your organization belongs to a professional association, what services that are not currently provided would you like to see added?

	Response Count
Responses * A directory of foundations & trusts in SE PA * D&O insurance * none at this time * advocacy, other revenue sources * n/a * Seminars for Individual Boards, Analysis and Direction * Pennsylvania Association for the Blind * none * new health care law support * Interns that volunteer to be of clerical service * employment postings;joint grant seeking opportunities * none * N/A * more training * resources for nonprofits to boost capacity * All is good. * management training * Some attention to the arts. * ceo roundtable for discussion * funding techniques * AFP * HR consultation; Management Consultation * Training for our needs * Talent Recruitment * none * Free training – Staff development * Stronger and Effective Advocacy	27
answered question	27
skipped question	262

38. What is your organization’s biggest concern as you prepare for 2013?

	Response Count
Responses * retaining board members * Funding/Fundraising * The greater need for more community services and funds to provide those services. * Currently experiencing an increase in demand for our services, particularly our soup kitchen coupled with increased costs, particularly food at the same time that foundation support has decreased both in terms of amounts awarded and more onerous applications. * Funding * Funding sources * Operational funds * cuts in reimbursement * Lack of volunteers. * Continuity * Need to raise more operating funds * funds for capacity training and funds to do more programs and provide more services * Being in a more rural county, not being able to secure funding especially from foundations. * Health Insurance * finding qualified and enthusiastic event partners, funding, overwork. * funding that is sustainable * continuation of federal funding * Retaining one federal and one commercial; contract * mission accomplishment * finances * Budget shortfall * Confusion in the public mind between the big nonprofits (hospitals, universities) and us little guys! * The huge increases in health care costs every year are very difficult for us. * Fundraising * Federal funding cuts to State for Medicad programs. * Sustainable funding * Maintaining level of services and/or increasing as needs arise * We are concerned about the cuts to government spending both state and federal which affects both our target population to serve and our organization financially in fulfilling our mission to serve them. * decreased government funding, limite fundraising dollars, higher need for services * protecting our investments * Loss or Cuts in the Federal Tax Exemption for Non-Profits * continued funding. * Our major programs have been level funded for the past eight years; some funding has been reduced or cut; other sources are unpredictable. * Finding funding to replace the loss of State grants * Adequate funding. * Continued decline in state funding. * Sustainability * state of the economy; aging of key philanthropists in the region * Government funding for programs and services for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, and potential impact to our ability to maintain service levels and programs. * getting donations to run our programs * government funding * lack of funding * Funding * We are a domestic violence/sexual assault agency and the increased demand for our services continues to grow but not the funding. At some point something will have to give…. * Money! * Continued funding * Fundraising and lack of Board Leadership * The Commonwealth budget * Being able to supply adequate and efficent service to the homeless population. * Hiring a new Executive Director	173
answered question	173
skipped question	116