The document summarizes the findings of a needs assessment survey distributed to 230 previous applicants and grantees of the Kent County Nonprofit Technical Assistance Fund. 85 nonprofit organizations responded. The majority of respondents were from health and human services nonprofits, with over half operating on budgets under $500,000. Respondents reported their top challenges as lack of staff time, competition for funding, and ineffective boards. While 44% saw increased funding in the last year, 39% saw decreases. The most critical needs were identified as fund development, marketing/communications, and board development. The top capacity building service desired was capacity building grants.

1. Kent County
Nonprofit Technical Assistance Fund
Nonprofit Needs Assessment Brief
October 2013
Nicole Notario-Risk
Program Manager

2. Introduction
The Kent County Nonprofit Technical Assistance (NPTA) Fund is a collaborative program designed to address the
need for capacity building and technical assistance among local nonprofits. To further explore challenges and
barriers faced by nonprofits and identify common areas of need, a survey was distributed during late spring 2013 to
230 previous applicants and grantees of the NPTA Fund. This brief highlights key findings gleaned from 85
respondent organizations.
Respondent Profile
Representatives from eighty-five West Michigan nonprofit organizations completed the needs assessment survey.
Executive directors made up 71% of respondents, followed by 15% program staff and 11% board members. Over
65% of respondents have been in their current position for less than ten years. The organizations they represent vary
in mission and budget size, as shown in the charts below.
Organization Type
The largest percentage of respondents, 55%, were health and human service organizations. Public and societal
benefit organizations made up 18%, followed by environmental and recreation 11%, arts and culture 8%, and
education 7%. Just fewer than 60% of respondent organizations have been in existence over 20 years. 15% of
respondents have been in operation for less than ten years, with only one less than three years old.
Health/Human Service
Public/Societal Benefit
Environment/Wildlife/Recreation
Arts/Culture
Education
Religious
Total
47 55%
15 18%
9 11%
7
8%
6
7%
1
1%
85 100%
Education Religious
1%
7%
Arts/Culture
8%
Environment/
Wildlife/ Rec
11%
Health/Human
Service
55%
Public/ Societal
Benefit
18%
Organizational Budget
Just over half of respondent organizations operate with budgets less than $500,000. Another 42% have budgets
between $500,000 and $2 million.
Under $50,000
$50,001 - $100,000
$100,001 - $250,000
$250,001 - $500,000
$500,001 - $1,000,000
$1,000,001 - $1,999,999
Over $2,000,000
Total
7
8%
6
7%
17 20%
15 18%
15 18%
20 24%
5
6%
85 100%
Over $2,000,000
6%
$1,000,001 - $1,999,999
24%
$500,001 - $1,000,000
18%
$250,001 - $500,000
18%
$100,001 - $250,000
$50,001 - $100,000
Under $50,000
20%
7%
8%

3. Perspectives on Challenges
Barriers to Service Provision
When asked to indicate the challenges or barriers to service provision experienced in the last two years, 56% of
responding organizations reported lack of staff time. Strong competion for funding was listed by 51% of
respondents, followed by low commitment or ineffective board of directors and lack of awareness of programs and
services.
Lack of staff time
Strong competition for funds and/or oversaturated nonprofit sector
Low commitment or ineffective board of directors
Lack of awareness of programs services or societal conditions
Challenges with volunteer recruitment/management
Difficult political climate across sectors
Burdensome regulations and/or accountability and outcomes requirements from funders
Ineffective collaboration both within and between organizations
Total Organizations
48
43
27
24
23
14
12
11
85
56%
51%
32%
28%
27%
16%
14%
13%
100%
“It is challenging to attract volunteers and those willing to take on leadership
roles of any depth needed to achieve significant impact.”
Fund ing Landscap e
Organizations were asked about the changing funding landscape; whether they had experienced an increase or
decrease in revenues in the last twelve months. The results were mixed as 44% reported experiencing an increase,
39% a decrease, and 18% seeing no change in levels of funding. Some organiations experienced the highest increases
among individual contributions and foundation funding, while others saw the largest decreases in government
funding and individual contributions.
Decreased
Did not change
Increased
Total
33 39%
15 18%
37 44%
85 100%
Individual contributions
Government funding
Foundation funding
Earned income
26%
2%
4%
0%
19%
1%
0%
19%
12%
11%
9%
2%
Increased
Did not change
Decreased

4. Critical Needs
When asked to select the three most critical areas of need for their organizations, 69% of respondents selected fund
development, 52% marketing and communications, 38% board development, and 31% strategic planning. Legal
and advocacy needs accounted for less than 3%.
Fund Development
Marketing/Communications
Board Development
Strategic Planning
Program Evaluation
Information Technology
Leadership/Management
Community Needs Assessment
Volunteer Management
Financial Management
Human Resources
Facilities Management
Legal
Advocacy
59
44
32
26
19
17
11
9
8
7
6
4
2
1
69%
52%
38%
31%
22%
20%
13%
11%
9%
8%
7%
5%
2%
1%
Fund Development
69%
Marketing/Communications
52%
Board Development
38%
Strategic Planning
31%
Program Evaluation
22%
“We have strengthened our fundraising abilities, but the needs of our community are
so great. We would like to find systemic ways and sustainable ways for funding.”
We struggle greatly with having a diversified, strong fund development plan. We
believe this ties closely to lack of awareness and branding for our organization in the
community which, in turn, impacts the size of our membership.
Desired Capacity Building Serv ices
When asked what type of capacity building services would be most beneficial to their organization within the next
two years, 91% of respondents overwhelmingly selected capacity building grants. 31% desired opportunities for
peer learning, while 26% listed face to face workshops as beneficial. 20% felt access to consultant information was
helpful, and 35% desired online tools, resources and trainings.
Capacity building grants
Opportunities for peer learning and networking with other organizations
Half or full day workshops
Access to local consultant information
Online tools/resources
Online training or webinars
77
26
22
17
15
14
91%
31%
26%
20%
18%
16%