In the spring of 2025, Community Foundation Boulder County distributed a survey to nonprofit organizations to understand how current or anticipated funding shifts, executive orders, and policy changes have or may affect our local nonprofit sector.
Ninety-six nonprofit leaders participated in the survey, representing a diverse set of organizations by focus area, annual operating size, and geographic area served in Boulder County.
Community Foundation Boulder County collected and analyzed the data from the survey and created the Boulder County Nonprofit Survey Report to inform the community.
Boulder County Nonprofit Survey Results and Findings
The survey asked nonprofit leaders about the impacts of federal funding cuts and policy changes, their organizations’ level of preparedness and which issues and focus areas are being most affected. The following key findings were identified upon review of the survey data:
• Four key areas were ranked as the highest areas of concern: diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives, immigration and citizenship policies, gender and sexual health policies and climate and energy policies.
• Slightly more than half of the organizations participating in the survey did not receive federal support. For those receiving funds, federal cuts and policy changes are expected to have a range of direct and indirect impacts throughout the nonprofit sector.
• Nonprofit organizations are operating in a time of uncertainty related to financial conditions, viability of community programs, along with increased need for services experienced by some organizations.
• A majority of Boulder County Nonprofits (72%) that participated in the survey had 6 months or less of operating reserves.
• Board activity levels varied in response to the federal policies and changes. Some boards are taking an information gathering approach, while others are mobilizing around advocacy, fundraising and internal operations.
• Beyond additional funding, nonprofits are requesting support and training around fundraising, financial development and board development.
To learn more about the survey findings and explore the full report, visit commfound.org/2025-nonprofit-survey.
For a deeper look at the data collected in the survey, visit commfound.org/trends/nonprofit-survey.
Community Foundation Boulder County Resilience Fund
In response to the results of the Boulder County Nonprofit Survey, Community Foundation Boulder County is opening a Resilience Fund to support local nonprofits with education, technical assistance, and financial support. Please support our nonprofits by donating to the Resilience Fund.
Trends in Action
Community Foundation Boulder County invites nonprofit leaders, donors, and community members to our event,Trends in Action: The State of Boulder County’s Nonprofit Sector, on Wednesday, May 28, from 3:00–4:30 p.m. to explore the results of the nonprofit survey.Attendees will learn more about key findings and how federal policy and funding shifts are impacting local organizations, followed by interactive discussions aimed at fostering connection and collaboration across the community.
