State's nonprofits face steep shortfalls as COVID-19 takes toll on revenues, fundraising

Pennsylvania received $4 billion in CARES Act funds, and $1.3 billion remains to be allocated.

Bipartisan bills introduced in both the state Senate and House of Representatives would establish a Nonprofit Economic Emergency Delivery System (NEEDS) grants program to assist nonprofits using CARES Act funds allocated to the state.

“We’re all kind of holding our breath and hoping the bills will come through,” said Anne Gingerich, executive director of the Pennsylvania Association of Nonprofit Organizations, a partner in the coalition that coordinated the survey.

Both the state Senate and House are adjourned until Nov. 10.

Other partners in the coalition that coordinated the survey were the Community Foundation of Westmoreland County, The Forbes Funds and United Way of Southwestern Pennsylvania.

The survey was conducted Aug. 3-28, and its analysis includes responses from 808 nonprofits, representing 2% of an estimated 32,500 nonprofits currently operating in the state.

The sector comprises about 16% of the state’s total workforce, said Ms. Gingerich.