Public Trust Is The Currency Of The Nonprofit Sector

The public’s belief that nonprofits will “do the right thing” is a cornerstone of the sector’s existence.

For centuries, communities have turned to nonprofits to provide essential services like education, cultural enrichment, life-sustaining support, environmental stewardship, and safe havens.

In today’s highly polarized world, understanding and nurturing trust has never been more critical for nonprofits to maintain their legitimacy, lead effectively, and thrive. Given how vital trust is to the sector’s success, it is essential to evaluate its current state and identify ways to strengthen this invaluable asset.

To shed light on this, Independent Sector, in collaboration with Edelman Data & Intelligence, released the fifth edition of its annual research report on trust in American nonprofit and philanthropic organizations. This study builds on Independent Sector’s four-decade history of uniting the charitable community for the common good and draws on Edelman DXI’s expertise in trust research, both globally and in the U.S.

The research involved a national survey of 3,000 American adults, alongside qualitative discussion boards with 72 participants, offering a comprehensive analysis of public trust in the nonprofit sector. It also identifies the key factors that influence trust and shape perceptions of these organizations.

Source: Independent Sector