Nonprofit organizations use data in many ways, including targeting programs and services to the needs of a community, conveying those needs (and gaps in local services) to grantmakers, and remaining transparent and accountable to the public.
This article details sources for statistical information and open datasets. For questions about these sources and how to use them, please contact the Nonprofit Central Librarian using this form.
Demographics
Census Bureau’s Decennial Census
This national census occurs every 10 years. The Decennial Census contains basic demographic data such as age, sex, relationship, race, and ethnicity.
Census Bureau’s American Community Survey Data
The ACS is an offshoot of the decennial census since 2005. It contains social characteristics such as languages spoken at home, disability status, and the type of disability. It also contains housing characteristics such as mortgage or monthly rent, and whether a unit is owned or occupied. Economic characteristics include the occupational information, the type of job, and the industry.
See this page for Census tables filtered to Monroe County.
For more information on this resource, see this webinar, “Optimize Your Non-Profit with Census Data.”
STATS Indiana
STATS Indiana provides easy, one-stop access to critical statistics for states, counties, cities and towns, townships, regions, census tracts, and more.
The United Way of South Central Indiana’s Service Community Assessment of Needs (SCAN)
The SCAN report provides comprehensive, valid and reliable information about the human service needs and capacity of Monroe County and presents information useful to nonprofit administrators, program planners, policy makers, and grant writers serving Monroe, Owen, and Greene Counties.
See this Candid article for more sources of demographic information.
Forms 990
Candid’s Foundation Directory Online
Candid’s Foundation Directory Online links to 990s. For most grantmakers, you can find 990s for the last 10 years. You can use this resource at any Library location.
Dorothy A. Johnson Center’s Report, "Use Cases from Publicly Available IRS Form 990 Data"
The Dorothy A. Johnson Center presents a selected list of how a large number of websites, projects, researchers, governments, and companies are using data from the Open 990 Project from IRS Forms 990, 990-EZ, and 990-PF for a variety of public interest projects.
Nonprofit Open Data Collective
The Nonprofit Open Data Collective is a shared repository of resources for cleaning and processing 990 data. Datasets include an index of all 990 e-filers from 2009 to present.
Nonprofit Sector
Bureau of Labor Statistics Research Data on the Nonprofit Sector
The Bureau of Labor Statistics has updated research data on employment and wages for the nonprofit sector for 2013, 2014, 2015, and 2017.
Candid Webinar, “Four free ways to access Candid’s demographic data”
Learn how you can search in GuideStar to find nonprofit profiles that contain demographic data about the nonprofits’ leader, board, and/or staff. GuideStar is the most comprehensive source of nonprofit information and it’s free to use without a library card.
Charitable Advisors’ Central Indiana Nonprofit Salary Survey Reports
The 2023 Central Indiana Salary Report is a comprehensive summary of 501(c)3 nonprofit salaries and benefits from 328 participating nonprofits and benchmarks 26 positions.
STATS Indiana Nonprofit Database
The Indiana Nonprofit database is a combination of three separate sources, including the Internal Revenue Service, Secretary of State, and the Indiana Business Research Center.
Philanthropy
Lilly Family School of Philanthropy Research
Lilly Family School of Philanthropy’s in-house research staff and peer-reviewed faculty studies increase understanding of philanthropy and the nonprofit sector.
See this Candid article for more sources on foundation and corporate giving statistics.