Shaping Better Workforce Data

THE 2026 NONPROFIT COMPENSATION & BENEFITS SURVEY

At the heart of nonprofit work are the people - the staff who show up every day to support their communities, often in the face of uncertainty and change. Ensuring they are paid fairly and supported with strong benefits is essential to the health and sustainability of our sector.

That's why CalNonprofits is asking nonprofits statewide to participate in the 2026 Nonprofit Compensation & Benefits Survey, conducted by Nonprofit Compensation Associates. It's your participation that produces one of the most trusted tools nonprofit leaders use to benchmark pay, evaluate benefits, and make informed decisions about the third largest workforce in the state.

As nonprofit leaders navigate inflation, funding uncertainty, and shifting federal policies, a strong workforce is more important than ever.

This year's survey includes:

• Current, local compensation data for more than 200 nonprofit positions
• Detailed pay and benefits data by budget size, geography, field of service, and more
• Information on salary increases, turnover, and workforce policies
• New questions on how economic and political conditions - including government funding, DEI practices, and the use of AI tools - are affecting nonprofit operations

WHY YOUR PARTICIPATION MATTERS BEYOND YOUR ORGANIZATION

The data collected through this survey also informs CalNonprofits' Causes Count report, a key resource used by policymakers, funders, advocates, and the media to understand California's nonprofit sector. The next edition, due in early 2026, will draw on this data to reflect the real conditions nonprofits and their workers are facing.

When nonprofits participate, we strengthen our collective ability to advocate for fair funding, support workforce retention, and push back against incomplete or misleading narratives about nonprofit compensation.

PARTICIPATE BY REGION

Northern California - The 2026 Nonprofit Compensation & Benefits Survey
Covers 48 counties, from Del Norte to Inyo County

Southern California - The 2026 Nonprofit Compensation & Benefits Survey
Covers Imperial, Kern, Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Diego, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, and Ventura counties

Participating nonprofits receive a significant discount on the final report.

QUESTIONS? Contact Nonprofit Compensation Associates at [email protected] or 510-645-1005.

Thank you for contributing to the data that helps nonprofits support their workers and the communities they serve.