For Immediate Release
January 15, 2026
kelsea@nonprofitvote.org
Findings show nonprofit capacity for reaching the most underrepresented communities, but flags capacity warnings for scaling
Boston, MA: A new report from Nonprofit VOTE shows that nearly one-third of U.S. nonprofits are already engaging their communities in civic participation, pointing to a scalable but under-resourced pathway for strengthening democracy as the country approaches its 250th anniversary.
The report, On the Frontlines of Democracy: America’s Nonprofits Hold the Line on Civic Infrastructure, draws on new 2025 data from the Nonprofit Finance Fund (NFF) and complementary research from Democracy Fund. It shows that 29 percent of nonprofits already engage in civic activities such as nonpartisan voter education, registration, and mobilization, even as service demand continues to rise.
These organizations are not primarily advocacy or election-focused groups. They are service nonprofits — food banks, housing providers, health clinics, disability service organizations, and community-based groups — working every day in communities that have historically been underrepresented in civic life.
At the same time, the data reveals growing strain. More than half of nonprofits engaged in voter participation expect service demand to increase again, while only 40 percent believe they will be able to meet those needs.
Taken together, the findings highlight a clear opportunity for strengthening our democracy. Civic participation is already happening inside trusted nonprofit institutions, but the scale of investment has not yet matched the scale of responsibility these organizations are carrying.
“This data shows nonprofits integrating civic engagement into their work because they are trusted and present in their communities,” said Elise Miller, Senior Director Community Engagement at the Nonprofit Finance Fund . “At the same time, the capacity challenges are real. Supporting both service delivery and civic participation will require sustained investment that reflects how nonprofits actually operate.”
The report also incorporates findings from Democracy Fund’s 2025 survey of funders supporting democracy and voter engagement work. That research shows growing recognition among funders that short-term, election-cycle approaches are not sufficient to support long-term civic participation.
“Philanthropy is increasingly grappling with the limits of cycle-based funding,” said Robert Griffin, Associate Director of Research at Democracy Fund. “This report reinforces the need to invest earlier and more consistently in nonprofits that are already embedded in their communities and positioned to sustain civic engagement over time.”
Nonprofit VOTE, which has worked for two decades to support nonpartisan civic engagement across the nonprofit sector, argues that service nonprofits represent a proven and underleveraged component of America’s civic infrastructure.
“Human service and community based nonprofits are doing this work because it is inseparable from serving their communities,” said Brian Miller, Executive Director of Nonprofit VOTE. “As we look toward 2026 and reflect on 250 years of democracy, we have an opportunity to scale what is already working and ensure these organizations have the capacity to meet the moment.”
The report calls on funders and sector leaders to align investment strategies with on-the-ground reality by supporting nonprofit capacity alongside programs and recognizing service nonprofits as essential civic infrastructure.
The full report is available at: nonprofitvote.org/on-the-frontlines-of-democracy/
For more information about the findings or for comment, please contact Nonprofit VOTE’s Communications Director Kelsea-Marie Pym, kelsea@nonprofitvote.org
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Founded in 2006, Nonprofit VOTE celebrates 20 years of democracy-building and fostering a more inclusive democracy. By leveraging the vast reach and trusted relationships of nonprofits, Nonprofit VOTE aims to ensure all people are heard, particularly people currently underrepresented in the democratic process..
Nonprofit VOTE provides nonpartisan resources to help nonprofits integrate voter engagement into their ongoing activities and services. In addition to trainings and support for nonprofits nationwide, Nonprofit VOTE runs on-the-ground voter engagement programs through its state-based work and serves as the managing partner of National Voter Registration Day.
