Community Foundation Releases Findings from Regional Nonprofit Survey

The Community Foundation of Herkimer and Oneida Counties has released the results of its 2026 Nonprofit Survey, offering an in-depth look at the needs, challenges, and priorities of nonprofit organizations serving the Mohawk Valley.

Conducted in February and March 2026 in partnership with UpMobility Foundation and Research & Marketing Strategies (RMS), the survey gathered feedback from 575 nonprofit representatives serving Oneida, Herkimer, Madison, and Otsego counties. The survey was designed to better understand the region's nonprofit landscape and help inform future funding opportunities offered by the foundations, capacity-building programs, and other services.

Among the survey's key findings:

• Nearly 78% of respondents noted rising community demand for their services
• While 78% described their organizations as stable or in a good position to meet current demands, approximately one in five organizations reported facing challenges and concerns about the future
• Financial stress, transportation barriers, and housing instability emerged as the top challenges affecting the demographics the nonprofits serve
• One-third of organizations reported they do not have enough staff or volunteers to effectively carry out their work
• Nonprofits identified staffing and volunteer recruitment, increasing client needs, organizational capacity, and the complexities of serving rural communities as major challenges

The survey also highlighted differences in financial concerns based on organizational size. Larger nonprofits reported greater concern about federal funding changes, while smaller organizations and volunteer-led groups cited fundraising fluctuations and finding new revenue sources as primary challenges.

When asked what resources would be most helpful, nonprofits identified a directory of local and regional funders and foundations, a universal funding application among Mohawk Valley foundations, nonprofit leadership training, grant writing support, and the continuation of the community-wide fundraising event, Mohawk Valley Gives.

"Nonprofits are at the heart of building strong, vibrant communities," said Community Foundation President/CEO Alicia Dicks. "The survey results provide valuable insight into the challenges organizations are facing, the resources they need most, and the growing demand for services across our region. We are grateful to the hundreds of nonprofit leaders who shared their experiences and perspectives.”

The Community Foundation will use the survey results to shape future initiatives, training opportunities, and strategic investments that strengthen the nonprofit sector throughout the Mohawk Valley. The findings will also help inform partnerships with funders, community leaders, and organizations working to address regional challenges.

The full report of the 2026 Nonprofit Survey is available at foundationhoc.org/publications.