Quarterly Research Roundup | July 2026

📊 What We’re Tracking: Policy and Research

Spotlight on Nonprofit Wages
George Mason University – Nonprofit Employment Data Project | April 2026

• In 2022, average weekly nonprofit pay was $1,315, close to for-profit ($1,357) and government ($1,304) wages. When excluding hospitals and universities, since these large nonprofit employers have many high-skill, high-salary jobs, the average weekly nonprofit pay dropped 14% to $1,156. 
• When comparing average weekly wages to the largest for-profit industries, nonprofits sit in the middle, above retail ($780) and accommodation/food services ($528) wages, but lower than manufacturing ($1,529) and professional/technical services ($2,264) wages, which illustrates gaps of 24% and 49%, respectively. 
• However, when looking at subsector industries, social assistance and arts/recreation nonprofit wages fall slightly below retail wages, by $6 and $66 less per week, than for‑profit retail employees.
• Overall, nonprofit workers are generally paid similar wages compared to for-profit and government wages. However, when removing larger institutions like hospitals and universities, nonprofit wages are 9% below government and 14% below for-profit wages, with wide differences across sub-sectors.
  

Donor Trust Special Report: Online Giving Platforms and Donor Expectations
Give.Org | June 2026

• 40% of donors overall believe charities create and manage their own donation pages. Only 12% assume platforms create and manage the page’s content.
• 56% of respondents believe online giving platforms should only create a profile with the charity’s permission. 
• More than half of respondents overall (53%) prefer platforms that list only charities that have explicitly agreed to be included, signally a strong preference for opt-in preferences.
• Overall donor trust in online donation platforms is most strongly driven by clear and accurate information about charities listed (51%), transparency about fees and how funds are used (50%), and knowing charities have agreed to be listed on the platform (39%).

Principles for Ethical Online Fundraising Platforms
National Council of Nonprofits | June 2026

• Millions of Americans donate to charitable nonprofits each year, yet many online fundraising platforms collect donations without nonprofit consent and in ways that don’t meet nonprofit needs.
• The following four principles were established by the National Council of Nonprofits to guide platforms, donors, and nonprofits interactions: 
  • Nonprofit Consent: Platforms should only list or solicit donations for a nonprofit with their permission.
  • Transparency: Donors should have the basic information they need to confidently decide whether to give.
  • Partnership: Platforms must treat nonprofits as equal partners, not passive recipients.
  • Accountability: Platforms must be answerable to nonprofits, donors, and the public.
    

What Proposed Federal Grant Rule Changes Mean for Nonprofits
Nonprofit Pro | June 2026

• The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has proposed major changes governing federal grants that would harm nonprofits. OMB plans to replace the existing “uniform guidance,” in place since 2014, with a new Uniform Grants Regulation that all federal agencies would be required to follow.
• Funding notices and award decisions must align with administration priorities, and senior political appointees gain authority to screen and deny grants based on topics like gender, immigration, DEI, or perceived “anti‑American values.”
• OMB could deny awards to certain nonprofit types and treat affiliations with advocacy groups as negative risk factors; foreign collaborations tied to sanctioned countries become presumptively unallowable.
• Fixed‑amount awards end, allowable costs shrink (communications, conferences, memberships require prior approval), and nonprofits must ensure viewpoint‑neutral event policies.
• Agencies could suspend or end awards “in their interest,” even mid‑project and without grantee fault, creating major financial instability for nonprofits.

→ Read CalNonprofits’ full comment letter submitted on behalf of California’s nonprofits here.
→ Add your organization to the National Council of Nonprofits’ sign‑on letter to OMB here.

🗣️ From the Field: Webinar and Events

The Nonprofit’s Guide to the 2026 Primary Voter Activation Strategies
CalNonprofits | May 8, 2026

• 84% of Americans agree nonprofits should help communities understand their rights as voters, underscoring the sector’s role in delivering accurate, accessible information.
• Legally, 501(c)(3)s can engage in issue advocacy, voter education, voter registration, and GOTV but not in partisan activities, such as supporting or opposing candidates.
• The IRS uses the Facts and Circumstances Test to evaluate whether an organization’s communications cross the line into partisan politics, including the intent, audience and purpose. Review your own activities to determine risk and whether to continue, modify, or forgo activities.
• Best practices for staying nonpartisan include centering issues, not individuals; avoiding praise or criticism of candidates; using disclaimers to clarify intent; keeping issue advocacy separate from voter engagement efforts; and conducting risk assessments
• Nonprofits can help communities access tools, information, and resources to participate meaningfully year-round, not just during election season.

Securing the Right to Vote: Election Protection Strategies
California Policy Forum | June 16, 2026

• Rising challenges to voting rights include new voter ID measures, the SAVE Act, and misleading voter‑fraud claims, which are increasingly used to justify suppression efforts.
• Uneven poll worker training, operational barriers, and voter registration issues, as spotlighted in regions like the Central Valley, continue to affect access and voter engagement. 
• Nonprofits and funders can strengthen democracy by advancing voter protections, serving as trusted messengers, supporting coalition work and grassroot organizing, and engaging in year-round civic engagement. 
• The June primary highlighted gaps in election infrastructure and voter support, underscoring the need for stronger protections and sustained investment ahead of the general election in November.

🛠️ Nonprofit Toolkit

Civic Engagement and Charitable Nonprofit Organizations

National Council of Nonprofits | Messaging guide with nonpartisan, legal language and quick‑response talking points for addressing questions or challenges about GOTV work.

Staying Nonpartisan: Permissible Election Activities Checklist

Nonprofit Vote | Checklist outlining permissible nonpartisan activities for 501(c)(3)s with common examples.

Setting the Nonprofit Record Straight

National Council of Nonprofits | Messaging guide with clear language to push back against rising scrutiny and fraud accusations, including interview guidance, topline messages, and talking points for addressing tough questions.

🧭 Bill Watch

All of CalNonprofits’ priority bills advanced from their policy committees in the second house!

SB 1288 [11-1]  |  SB 1240 [16-1]  |  AB 2221 [13-0]  |  AB 2084 [4-0] 

Track all of CalNonprofits’ positions and real‑time bill updates here.

🔍 Data Spotlight

94% of Californians say nonprofits are important to their communities (76% very + 18% somewhat), according to our most recent California Resident Survey.

Source: Causes Counts 3.0 – Release upcoming