2013 PA Charitable Organizations Survey: Results

Total Started Survey: 166
Total Finished Survey: 154 (92.8%)

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	15.8%	26
ABOUT THE SAME	60.6%	100
WORSE	23.6%	39
answered question		165
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	27.3%	45
ABOUT THE SAME	50.3%	83
WORSE	22.4%	37
answered question		165
skipped question		1

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

	Response Percent	Response Count
HIGHER	21.3%	35
ABOUT THE SAME	54.3%	89
LOWER	24.4%	40
answered question		164
skipped question		2

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	20.6%	34
ABOUT THE SAME	67.3%	111
LOWER	12.1%	20
answered question		165
skipped question		1

5. What impact has the slow economic recovery had on your organization?

	Response Percent	Response Count
SIGNIFICANT NEGATIVE IMPACT	16.5%	27
SOMEWHAT NEGATIVE IMPACT	64.6%	106
NO IMPACT	9.8%	16
SOMEWHAT POSITIVE IMPACT	9.1%	15
SIGNIFICANT POSITIVE IMPACT	0.0%	0
answered question		164
skipped question		2

6. Has your organization had to do any of the following as a result of the slow economic recovery:

[td c3]answered question[td c3]skipped question

	YES	NO	Rating Count
LAY-OFF STAFF	29.6% (45)	70.4% (107)	152
REDUCE EMPLOYEE HOURS	36.2% (54)	63.8% (95)	149
CUT SALARIES	8.9% (13)	91.1% (133)	146
CUT OR ELIMINATE BENEFITS	25.9% (38)	74.1% (109)	147
DISCONTINUE SOME SERVICES	40.0% (60)	60.0% (90)	150
INCREASE SERVICES	38.7% (55)	61.3% (87)	142
BORROW OPERATING MONEY	23.1% (33)	76.9% (110)	143
CANCEL OR POSTPONE EXPANSION PLANS	41.3% (59)	58.7% (84)	143
NONE OF THE ABOVE	16.2% (11)	83.8% (57)	68
164
2

7. 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	8.0%	13
ABOUT THE SAME	24.7%	40
DECREASED	27.2%	44
DON’T RECEIVE STATE FUNDING	40.1%	65
answered question		162
skipped question		4

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

	Response Percent	Response Count
HIGH	15.2%	25
MEDIUM	65.9%	108
LOW	9.8%	16
NO OPINION	9.1%	15
answered question		164
skipped question		2

9. 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	0.6%	1
SOMEWHAT IMPROVED	16.0%	26
ABOUT THE SAME	43.6%	71
SOMEWHAT WORSE	31.3%	51
SIGNIFICANTLY WORSE	0.0%	0
NO OPINION	8.6%	14
answered question		163
skipped question		3

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

	Response Percent	Response Count
FAMILIAR WITH THE TERM	48.2%	79
HEARD TERM. BUT NOT CLEAR ABOUT ITS MEANING	28.0%	46
NEVER HEARD THE TERM	23.8%	39
answered question		164
skipped question		2

11. 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	11.0%	18
SOMEWHAT MORE ATTRACTIVE	36.0%	59
ABOUT THE SAME	14.0%	23
SOMEWHAT LESS ATTRACTIVE	19.5%	32
MUCH LESS ATTRACTIVE	12.2%	20
NO OPINION	7.3%	12
answered question		164
skipped question		2

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

	Response Percent	Response Count
YES	6.1%	10
NO	87.1%	142
DON’T KNOW	6.7%	11
answered question		163
skipped question		3

13. Has your organization lobbied on any public policy issue during the past year?

	Response Percent	Response Count
YES	30.7%	50
NO	65.0%	106
DON’T KNOW	4.3%	7
answered question		163
skipped question		3

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

	Response Percent	Response Count
YES	31.1%	51
NO	54.3%	89
DON’T KNOW	14.6%	24
answered question		164
skipped question		2

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

	Response Percent	Response Count
YES	40.7%	66
NO	48.8%	79
DON’T KNOW	10.5%	17

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

[td c4]answered question[td c4]skipped question

	YES	NO	DON’T KNOW	Rating Count
BENEFIT FROM TRAINING	48.8% (78)	33.1% (53)	18.1% (29)	160
BENEFIT FROM FACE-TO-FACE BRIEFINGS	40.6% (65)	36.9% (59)	22.5% (36)	160
READ BRIEFINGS	66.0% (105)	15.1% (24)	18.9% (30)	159
162
4

17. Do you provide health insurance to your employees?

	Response Percent	Response Count
CURRENTLY PROVIDE HEALTH INSURANCE	79.1%	129
PREVIOUSLY PROVIDED, BUT DISCONTINUED	2.5%	4
DO NOT PROVIDE, BUT PLAN TO IN THE FUTURE	1.8%	3
HAVE NO PLANS TO PROVIDE INSURANCE	16.0%	26
DON’T KNOW	0.6%	1
answered question		163
skipped question		3

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

	Response Percent	Response Count
EMPLOYER PAYS FULL PREMIUM	27.6%	43
EMPLOYEE PAYS FULL PREMIUM	0.6%	1
SPLIT/MAJOR PORTION PAID BY EMPLOYER	48.7%	76
SPLIT/MAJOR PORTION PAID BY EMPLOYEE	2.6%	4
50/50 SPLIT EMPLOYER/EMPLOYEE	1.3%	2
DO NOT OFFER/WILL NOT OFFER INSURANCE	15.4%	24
DON’T KNOW	3.8%	6
answered question		156
skipped question		10

Organizational Issues
19. Since the beginning of the year has income to your organization from all sources:

	Response Percent	Response Count
INCREASED SIGNIFICANTLY	3.3%	5
INCREASED MODERATELY	22.4%	34
STAYED ABOUT THE SAME	40.8%	62
DECREASED MODERATELY	23.7%	36
DECREASED SIGNIFICANTLY	9.9%	15
DON’T KNOW	0.0%	0
answered question		152
skipped question		14

20. Generally speaking, do you expect to see funding for 2013 INCREASE, DECREASE, or STAY ABOUT THE SAME as it was in 2012?

	Response Percent	Response Count
INCREASE	27.5%	42
STAY ABOUT THE SAME	49.7%	76
DECREASE	20.9%	32
DON’T KNOW	2.0%	3
answered question		153
skipped question		13

21. Approximately what percentage of your funding in 2013 came from the following sources?

[td c7]answered question

[td c4]

[td c7]skipped question

[td c4]

	0-10%	11-20%	21-30%	31-40%	41-50%	51-60%	61-70%	71-80%	81-90%	91-100%	DON’T KNOW OR REFUSED	Rating Count
FOUNDATIONS	51.4% (71)	18.1% (25)	10.9% (15)	4.3% (6)	2.9% (4)	1.4% (2)	0.0% (0)	0.7% (1)	0.7% (1)	2.9% (4)	6.5% (9)	138
FEDERAL FUNDING	52.0% (65)	9.6% (12)	8.8% (11)	6.4% (8)	7.2% (9)	3.2% (4)	2.4% (3)	1.6% (2)	0.0% (0)	0.0% (0)	8.8% (11)	125
STATE FUNDING	50.8% (67)	15.2% (20)	5.3% (7)	11.4% (15)	0.8% (1)	3.8% (5)	2.3% (3)	0.8% (1)	2.3% (3)	0.8% (1)	6.8% (9)	132
COUNTY/LOCAL FUNDING	66.7% (84)	13.5% (17)	5.6% (7)	1.6% (2)	0.8% (1)	1.6% (2)	1.6% (2)	1.6% (2)	0.0% (0)	0.8% (1)	6.3% (8)	126
INDIVIDUALS	38.4% (53)	13.8% (19)	14.5% (20)	7.2% (10)	3.6% (5)	6.5% (9)	1.4% (2)	5.8% (8)	2.2% (3)	0.7% (1)	5.8% (8)	138
PROGRAM FEES	50.0% (67)	14.9% (20)	9.0% (12)	6.0% (8)	3.0% (4)	1.5% (2)	1.5% (2)	3.0% (4)	3.7% (5)	0.7% (1)	6.7% (9)	134
OTHER	42.0% (42)	17.0% (17)	11.0% (11)	5.0% (5)	1.0% (1)	5.0% (5)	2.0% (2)	3.0% (3)	3.0% (3)	2.0% (2)	9.0% (9)	100
	149
	17

22. 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	24.8%	38
ABOUT THE SAME	52.9%	81
LESS	22.2%	34
DON’T KNOW	0.0%	0
answered question		153
skipped question		13

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

	Response Percent	Response Count
SIGNIFICANT NEGATIVE EFFECT	41.7%	63
MODERATE NEGATIVE EFFECT	35.8%	54
NO EFFECT	11.3%	17
MODERATE POSITIVE EFFECT	0.0%	0
SIGNIFICANT POSITIVE EFFECT	0.7%	1
DON’T KNOW	10.6%	16
answered question		151
skipped question		15

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

	Response Percent	Response Count
TWITTER	54.6%	77
FACEBOOK	98.6%	139
LINKED IN	52.5%	74
YOU TUBE	41.1%	58
BLOGGING	19.1%	27
PINTEREST	13.5%	19
INSTAGRAM	4.3%	6
GOOGLE+ (AS INDIVIDUALS TO PROMOTE YOUR ORGANIZATION)	17.0%	24
Other (please specify) Volunteerspot Moving towards more engagement with social media. web site e-mail blasts website constant contact Picasa website Tumblr		9
answered question		141
skipped question		25

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

	Response Percent	Response Count
NO	55.0%	83
TRIED, RAISED UNDER $100	9.3%	14
TRIED, RAISED $100-$999	17.2%	26
TRIED, RAISED OVER $1,000	10.6%	16
TRIED, RAISED OVER $10,000	7.9%	12
answered question		151
skipped question		15

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

	Response Percent	Response Count
MERGER	2.0%	3
ACQUISITION	1.3%	2
LIMITED LIABILITY CORPORATION	0.0%	0
CLOSING YOUR DOORS	0.7%	1
EXPANDING PROGRAMS	12.5%	19
OPENING NEW FACILITIES	3.3%	5
MOVING YOUR OFFICES	4.6%	7
COLLABORATION/PARTNERSHIP	17.1%	26
NO CHANGE	53.3%	81
Other (please specify) affiliation strategic planning being done now name change changing business model unknown Reduction in building ownership. Have 10 currently, one is for sale. May cease operations in another. 2014 closing Merger, Acquisition, Collaboration	5.3%	8
answered question		152
skipped question		14

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

	Response Percent	Response Count
YES	28.3%	43
NO	68.4%	104
DON’T KNOW	3.3%	5
answered question		152
skipped question		14

28. 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	54.7%	35
FOR PROFITS OFFER BETTERS SALARY/BENEFIT PACKAGES	17.2%	11
INADEQUATE PREPARATIONS OF PROSPECTIVE EMPLOYEES	7.8%	5
INABILITY TO PROVIDE BENEFITS	1.6%	1
Other (please specify) understanding our needs in a constantly changing environment n/a Hiring has not been an issue so far. difficulty hiring employees with a specific disability very small organization with no where to advance. N/A Specialty service parking costs in downtown Harrisburg problematic for entry-level staff Stable Staff / doesn’t apply at the moment people seem to move on after 3 yrs. We do not have difficulty hiring	18.8%	12
answered question		64
skipped question		102

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

	Response Percent	Response Count
NON-PROFIT SCANDALS	0.0%	0
LIABILITY	0.0%	0
LACK OF TIME	34.2%	52
PEOPLE ALREADY COMMITTED TO OTHER ORGANIZATIONS	19.1%	29
NOT WILLING TO FUNDRAISE FOR OUR ORGANIZATION	17.1%	26
LACK OF UNDERSTANDING ORGANIZATION/MISSION	5.9%	9
NONE	17.8%	27
Other (please specify) not able to click on multiple: lack of time, unwillingness to ask others for money Q should have allowed multiple answers! Mine are 1) lack of time, 2) people committed to other organizations, 3) not willing to fundraise, 4) lack of understanding of organization/mission Small school hard to get experienced board members. Mostly parents. We are a newly formed foundation and have a full board slate as prescribed by he conditions of our formation. items 3 and 4 Very limited pool of qualified candidates could not check of more than one – Lack of Time, Already Committed, Not willing to fund-raise, lack of understanding of mission/org Sources of great candidates why are you hyphenating nonprofit?	5.9%	9
answered question		152
skipped question		14

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

	Response Percent	Response Count
YES	88.1%	133
NO	8.6%	13
DON’T KNOW	3.3%	5
answered question		151
skipped question		15

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

	Response Percent	Response Count
YES	75.0%	114
NO	15.8%	24
DON’T KNOW	9.2%	14
answered question		152
skipped question		14

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

	Response Percent	Response Count
YES	6.6%	10
NO	89.4%	135
DON’T KNOW	4.0%	6
answered question		151
skipped question		15

33. 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	16.1%	24
NO	83.9%	125
answered question		149
skipped question		17

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

	Response Percent	Response Count
YES	81.6%	124
NO	10.5%	16
DON’T KNOW	7.9%	12
answered question		152
skipped question		14

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

	Response Percent	Response Count
DAILY	1.5%	2
WEEKLY	34.4%	45
MONTHLY	58.8%	77
DON’T KNOW	5.3%	7
answered question		131
skipped question		35

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

Response:	Response Count
much lower cost seminars and webinars n/a n/a Technical Assistance and Professional Development Grants N/A Managing the Healthcare new laws Joint benefit groups to save costs None liability insurance none An executive director’s roundtable ceo networking group NETWORKING Organizations have cut down on in-person workshops and conferences, utilizing webinars instead. We miss the networking and conversations with others in our field. ? PANO Had to give us memberships due to budget cuts! leadership development specitic education	19
answered question	19
skipped question	147

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

Responses:

Maintaining financial viability

funding

Securing adequate grant and investment funding to support in providing services to our clients.

Declining/aging population and continuing loss of industries in region reduces tax base. Coupled with new/more state-imposed requirements these factors make it increasingly difficult to maintain services, programming, and hours of operation for our patrons.

for 2014? revenue for next year and staffing adjustments that may become necessary

Funding challenges and do we have the capacity to respond to overwhelming demand for our services.

Government interference.

You mean prepare for 2014. Fundraising.

Funding depreciation and Mission services.

Being able to continue to meet our mission in light of challenging financial concerns

Funding

funding

Stability, board understanding/action on key issues

Assuming you mean 2014, we are most worried about retaining members and attracting corporate support. The fundraising climate is still chilly at best.

Federal State and Local budget cuts to human services

right now it’s Board LEADERSHIP

How to convince our landlord to let us build a new building on their property.

Time time time!

obama care

That our programs are having the desired impact

Breaking even

Being able to fulfill our mission in a very challenging environment.

Raising enough money to keep open

sequestration

maintaining our fundraising levels

Funding

Adequate staffing to support program growth

Board culture.

The size of the donor pie is not increasing but the competition for the same dollars has.

member engagement, membership development

Enrollment and funding.

Finances and I believe you mean 2014.

status quo

Stable funding

sustainability of funding; lack of funding in specific areas increases need for a more sustainable source that is not dependent upon trends

Inability to raise significant money through special events will necessitate a major gifts campaign in early 2014. Our Board of Directors is reluctant or not interested in playing a major role, as evidenced by their unwillingness to participate on the Development Committee, and some believe major gift solicitation is the ED’s job alone.

continuing to provide quality care with fewer people

Inability to identify enough additional resources to meet dramatic increase in need for services (human services organization with main focus on providing free meals)

Maintaining or hopefully expanding funding sources.

Better understanding of what nonprofit/charities are by public officials and the public in general.

replacing declining program revenue

Donors who suddenly change their priorities and are no longer interested in our clients/work

Keeping our doors open as it is difficult to find and obtain grants for our programs.

Funding and health Insurance Premiums increased by 27%

Continuity

Meeting operational expenses while launching a capital campaign to expand/upgrade our facilities.

funding and how to effectively use shrinking dollars to meet increasing need

Our CEO will be retiring at the end of 2014 after 30 years, so we will have a major transition ahead.

LACK OF COMMITTED VOLUNTEERS

Although we have low staff turnover, we are concerned with keeping salaries and benefits competitive enough to continue to recruit high quality employees.

Funding is always a concern.

Always funds Not sure of how health care reform will effect

Funding and adequate volunteers and staff for the number of patients and clients using our services

Meeting our budget through fundraising

Change at the Board and upper manage levels

Financial sustainability in a city environment that’s declining.

funding and capacity building.

2013 is about over.

funding

government grant management and paperwork requirements taking too much time

Continued challenges raising money … board members stretched too thin … people looking to make money for themselves by using our name!

Lack of funds

As we prepare for 2014 we are concerned about or financial viablity.

Learning to market using social media

Responding to trends in people’s technology needs to provide relevant materials/services to assist them

lack of funds and finding new volunteers

Sustainability

Funding levels from the State and eventually the industry will face consolidation and how do we make that a positive event so that we may carry on our mission and help the most people.

realigning service delivery model in light of less charitable dollars available

funding

Focus and Mission preparedness

Fundraising

improved efficiencies for better customer service

FUNDING

regulatory challenges to nonprofits

diversity, equity, inclusion

Continuing to have funding to fulfill our mission.

planning; financial resources

Paying for a mortgage we never had to before this year and then fixing the building to code.

In SW PA, lawsuits between the city of Pittsburgh and UPMC tax exemption has created massive confusion about what a nonprofit is – misguided statements from political figures are seriously eroding trust in the charitable sector. This could easily turn into a bad case making bad law.

Lower visitation/contributions once the 150th anniversary celebrations are over

Maintaining relevance in changing environment in 2014

1) That the economy continues to improve 2) That school music programs are not cut or reduced

state funding

Funding and managing growth.

Federal Funding

sustainability and ability to maintain IT infrastructure – outdated/unsupported operating sytem on all PCs, phone system beginning to fail…

need for funding

Employee retention

financial performance…revenue growth

Philadelphia’s DHS IOC implementation.

SCHOOL DISTRICT FUNDING.

Survival beyond 2014.
93

answered question 93

skipped question 73