The nonprofit sector in Tampa Bay — and across Florida — is at a crossroads.
Findings from the 2024 Florida Nonprofits Survey, conducted by the Florida Nonprofit Alliance, reveal a sector under pressure: demand for services is rising, financial and workforce challenges persist, and disaster readiness is still lacking for many organizations.
The role of nonprofit and board leaders has never been more important. Here are the top five trends shaping the nonprofit landscape in Tampa Bay and what leaders can do now to build capacity, sustainability and resilience.
1. 📈 Demand Is Rising, but Resources Aren’t
- 26% of nonprofits reported an increased demand for services.
- 44% are serving more clients than in 2023.
- Organizations face financial and staffing challenges to meet this surge.
What Nonprofit Leaders Can Do
- Support strategic planning for sustainable growth.
- Encourage resource-sharing collaborations across the region.
- Ensure organizational infrastructure keeps pace with programmatic expansion.
2. 💰 Fundraising Challenges Are Threatening Financial Health
- 61% of nonprofits didn’t raise more revenue in 2024 than in 2023.
- 76% saw no increase in unrestricted funding.
- 1 in 3 nonprofits have no financial reserves; 20% have less than three months of operating funds.
What Nonprofit Leaders Can Do
- Strengthen governance oversight on financial planning and risk management.
- Diversify revenue streams (including earned income strategies).
- Engage boards and leadership volunteers in more fundraising and donor stewardship.
3. 👥 Leadership Turnover & Workforce Challenges Are Looming
- 30% of nonprofits will have a different CEO by 2027.
- Many nonprofits struggle with board engagement and volunteer recruitment.
What Nonprofits Can Do
- Ensure a succession plan is in place for executive leadership.
- Invest in active board development, mentoring and recruitment.
- Champion workplace culture and staff retention strategies.
4. 🌊 Disaster Preparedness Is Critically Underdeveloped
- 1 in 3 nonprofits were impacted by hurricanes in 2024.
- 89% received no disaster recovery funding.
- 41% still lack a disaster preparedness plan.
What Nonprofits Can Do
- Prioritize the development of an emergency preparedness plan.
- Ensure financial reserves and contingency plans are in place.
- Build partnerships with funders and local government for emergency support and to expand access to recovery resources.
- Push for sector-wide disaster planning and advocacy.
5. 🚧 The Sector Needs More Support
- Nonprofits say fundraising is the top challenge (46%) and top need (61%).
- The next most common challenge is staffing (10%) and needing volunteers (40%).
- 29% of nonprofits say board engagement is a top need.
What Nonprofits Can Do
- Engage in advocacy efforts to secure long-term funding solutions.
- Leverage networks to expand volunteer and board recruitment. Prioritize inclusive recruitment that brings diverse skills and perspectives.
- Strengthen board governance training to support nonprofit leadership.
- Support competitive compensation and professional development.
- Promote a culture of volunteerism throughout the organization.
- Help address burnout and retention proactively.
🧭 Final Thoughts: Action Items for Your Next Board Meeting
The path forward for Tampa Bay’s nonprofit sector will require courageous leadership, strategic investment and relentless focus on sustainability. The role of nonprofit leaders and board members is pivotal in shaping this future. Here are three conversation topics for your next board meeting:
- Identify board-led initiatives that strengthen financial and operational sustainability.
- Explore collaborations with funders and other organizations to enhance capacity-building efforts.
- Develop a long-term strategy for board development and succession planning.
Together, we can ensure that Tampa Bay nonprofits don’t just survive — but thrive.
Learning That Builds Capacity
From board governance to fundraising and hiring, the Nonprofit Leadership Center offers classes, certificate programs and custom learning experiences to help nonprofits of every size and sub-sector build their capacity to thrive. Join us for an upcoming event.
