Stability Was the Strategy: Why 51% of Nonprofits Maintained Headcount in 2025, and What’s Trending for 2026
After years of disruption, nonprofit leaders entered 2025 with a different priority: stability. According to our 2026 Nonprofit Salaries & Staffing Trends Report, 51% of nonprofits maintained their headcount in 2025. Rather than expanding or contracting, many organizations chose to hold steady — a decision shaped by funding uncertainty, rising costs, and mission risk. Why