- Report finds that two-thirds of Connecticut nonprofits have not been able to hold fundraising activities during the COVID-19 pandemic and one in five are unsure if they can meet payroll beyond three months
- Nonprofits have been cutting services and furloughing staff due to revenue shortfalls
- Despite uncertainties, majority of respondents think they are doing well enough to recover if the pandemic does not worsen
Connecticut nonprofit organizations have been struggling to maintain their services and keep their finances in good shape, according to a recent report by the CT Community Nonprofit Alliance (The Alliance).
A report prepared for The Alliance surveyed 258 nonprofit agencies in the state found that 67 percent had not been able to hold fundraising activities due to COVID-19 restrictions, while two-thirds had reduced services. Twenty-one percent were not sure if they could meet payroll beyond the next three months, and 28 percent did not know if they could maintain services beyond that point.
Nonprofits often did not qualify for Paycheck Protection Program funds, and philanthropic giving has shrunk or been delayed during the pandemic. The organizations have sometimes incurred unforeseen expenses, such as food banks that were forced to spend more on food as runs on grocery stores made it more difficult for these businesses to offer donations. Seventeen percent of nonprofits furloughed staff while 13 percent laid off workers.
Despite these challenges, most nonprofits had a favorable outlook for the future. Seventy-one percent said they are doing well or believe they can recover if the pandemic does not worsen.
