2024 sector-wide survey results
ONN’s annual survey is conducted to better understand how nonprofits in Ontario are fairing. It identifies and shares the state of the sector in a given moment of time, and provides stakeholders access to high-quality data, disaggregated by key demographic profiles.
This year’s data reveals that the nonprofit sector is experiencing stagnant and declining financial resources amidst climbing demand. Year-over-year, many of the issues remain the same: financial resources are unstable, volunteers are not returning to the sector post-pandemic, it’s harder to recruit and retain talented staff, to name a few.
Despite these disheartening realities, our sector is hopeful and creative while trying to serve their communities across Ontario.
A better supported nonprofit sector means less pressure on tertiary systems, high-quality and accessible programs and services for all, better social cohesion, and ultimately better supported Ontarians.
2024 data highlights
- 45 per cent of survey respondents reported feeling overwhelmed, and 41 per cent reported feeling optimistic at this current moment.
- 83 per cent of respondents saw an increase in demand for programs and services, a seven percent increase over 2023.
- 39 per cent of respondents assessed themselves at significant risk (ranked at a five or above) for not existing in the next three years.
- 54 per cent of respondents reported stagnant and declining revenue while 84 per cent reported increase in expenses.
- 31 per cent of respondents reported using their reserve funds, almost mirroring pandemic-era levels.
For more data highlights, access our technical report in English and French.
Calls to action
It is possible to change the realities, and improve the future trajectory of our sector. The following are a summary of recommendations from ONN on how government, the nonprofit sector, and public can take action. Access our policy report for the full recommendations.
For government:
- Create a home in government for the sector to efficiently work with Ontario’s 58,000 nonprofits and charities.
- Future-proof Ontarians’ social infrastructure.
For the nonprofit sector:
- Build diverse networks.
- Engage in collective advocacy.
- Socialize the Nonprofit Business Model.
- Encourage local community engagement and support.
For the public:
- Participate in democratic processes.
- Get involved in your communities.
- Support nonprofit advocacy.
Survey resources
- We will be hosting a free webinar to discuss how the sector can use this data in their provincial advocacy efforts.
- 2024 Survey report with policy recommendations. (French report coming soon.)
- 2024 Technical report (English and French) with data highlights.
- Datasets 2021-2024 and data tables for 2024.
- Amplification package.
- Pandemic survey data
- 2023 policy report and technical report
Survey partners
We are grateful to the following partners for supporting our survey work:
