Mid-Sized Charities Exhibit Financial Resilience and Growth

By Caleb Price Updated Oct 22, 2025 Category News Read 4 min

Mid-Sized Charities Exhibit Robust Financial Resilience

Nonprofits' financial well-being examined in new study from Indiana University's Lilly Family School of Philanthropy and Bernstein Private Wealth Management.

A research study has revealed intriguing insights into the financial health of mid-sized charities—those with investable assets between $5 million and $75 million. Conducted by esteemed institutions, the findings reveal that these nonprofits showcase greater financial resilience compared to both their larger and smaller counterparts.

The study discovered that a remarkable 69% of mid-sized nonprofits are deemed financially healthy when assessed with various metrics. In contrast, only 65% of large nonprofits and 64% of small nonprofits meet the same criteria. Moreover, mid-sized charities tend to maintain a higher level of liquid assets, ensuring they have adequate months of spending at their disposal while keeping a low debt ratio. This points to their more prudent financial management strategies.

Jon Bergdoll, the Interim Director of Data and Research Partnerships at the Lilly Family School of Philanthropy, stated, "Traditionally, research has mainly focused on larger institutions or smaller grassroots organizations. This study offers unique insights into mid-sized nonprofits, allowing us to understand their specific financial health characteristics better. The results will empower these nonprofits to evaluate their financial situations more effectively while aiding funders, donors, and advisors in making informed decisions regarding financial support."

Key Findings of the Study

Among the research's enlightening findings are several intriguing aspects that differentiate mid-sized charities:

Endowment Presence: Mid-sized nonprofits mirror large nonprofits concerning endowment presence. Approximately 55% of mid-sized charities report having an endowment, compared to 65% of larger nonprofits and a mere 12% of smaller organizations.
Revenue Sources: While large nonprofits typically secure about 7% of their revenue from investment income, mid-sized organizations generate around 3%, with small nonprofits earning only 1% from such sources.
Administrative Efficiency: A healthy 54% of mid-sized charities exhibit a positive administrative ratio, outpacing their small (44%) and large peers (52%).
Debt Assessment: The research also highlights that nearly two-thirds of mid-sized (64%) and small (66%) charities maintain a debt margin below 20%. In contrast, only 49% of large nonprofits manage to keep their debt levels at such low ratios.

Understanding Financial Health Metrics

Delving further, the report emphasizes contrasting types of financial health across various nonprofit categories. It suggests that most prior studies tended to overlook organizational size and relied on singular financial measurements, which might not effectively assess the health of these organizations.

The latest study dives into six critical measures: administrative ratio, months of spending on hand, debt margin, operating surplus relative to assets, Debt Service Coverage Ratio (DSCR), and primary reserve ratio, exploring how these, in conjunction with an organization’s size, influence financial health. The comprehensive analysis, drawn from over 800,000 IRS Forms 990 within a five-year period, provides a rich tapestry of the prevailing financial trends within the nonprofit sector.

Implications for Nonprofit Sustainability and Growth

For nonprofits, donors, funders, and advisors alike, the findings of this research hold significant implications:

Organizations should prioritize engaging their boards in driving financial success through strategic collaborations with staff to amplify mission fulfillment.
Creating budgets that balance realistic expectations with aspirational goals can support nonprofit growth and sustainability.
Investing in technology, staff development, and leveraging new opportunities helps organizations remain relevant and effective in their mission pursuits.
Funders are encouraged to consider offering unrestricted gifts to nonprofits, allowing flexibility and addressing liquidity and debt challenges for mid-sized organizations.
Learning from charities that navigated the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic can yield insights into maintaining higher reserves and diversifying revenue streams.

Assessing financial success across the diversified nonprofit sector can be challenging due to its inherent complexity. Each organization derives income from varying models, making comparative analysis difficult. Emphasizing mid-sized charities, this report provides actionable pathways that all nonprofits can follow to fortify their financial health. By focusing on aspects such as high operating reserves and revenue diversification, nonprofits can achieve resilience and long-term sustainability.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does the study reveal about mid-sized charities?

The study highlights that mid-sized charities exhibit greater financial resilience and health compared to both smaller and larger organizations.

What are the implications for nonprofit boards?

Nonprofit boards play a crucial role in driving financial success, and engaging them strategically ensures effective mission fulfillment.

How do revenue sources vary among nonprofits?

Larger nonprofits generate more revenue from investment income than mid-sized or small nonprofits, showcasing a significant difference in financial strategies.

What metrics are critical in assessing nonprofit financial health?

Key metrics include administrative ratios, debt margins, operational surplus, and liquidity ratios, which collectively provide an overview of overall financial health.