Nonprofit organizations play a crucial role in US society by offering essential services, improving quality of life, and strengthening democracy. However, nationally representative panel data on nonprofits have historically been limited to financial data from Internal Revenue Service Form 990.

The Urban Institute, in collaboration with American University and George Mason University, is conducting a multiyear panel study, the National Survey of Nonprofit Trends and Impacts. This study provides nationally representative insights about nonprofit programs and services, staff and volunteers, fundraising, donations, finances, government engagement, and more.

These insights help nonprofit leaders build sustainable and effective organizations and inform policymakers, funders, and the public on how to best support the sector.