Measuring Nonprofit Capacity Amid Funding Uncertainty
(These September 2025 CFSA nonprofit survey results were featured in an article by Valorie Rice and Jennifer Pullen of Making Action Possible for Southern Arizona. You can explore the entire piece and corresponding data at the link below.)
Recent changes in government policy have affected how nonprofit organizations are funded, how they operate, and the level of demand for their services. In response, the Community Foundation of Southern Arizona (CFSA) surveyed local nonprofit organizations to better understand the impact of recent funding reductions and policy changes on the nonprofit community. The survey was conducted in September 2025. This article highlights key findings from that survey and places them in the broader regional context, using data available on the MAP Dashboard, to illustrate the essential role nonprofits play in supporting Southern Arizona communities.
The survey provides a snapshot of the nonprofit landscape in Southern Arizona. Nearly all responding nonprofits identified as 501(c)(3) organizations. A 501(c)(3) organization is a nonprofit recognized by the IRS as tax-exempt because it serves the public. More than half of survey respondents indicated they have been in operation for over 20 years, while 23% have been in existence for less than 10 years. Most survey responses came from nonprofits located in Pima County, though organizations in Cochise, Graham, Pinal, Santa Cruz, and Yuma counties were also represented.