Burnout remains a growing concern for US nonprofit employees, with fresh data highlighting where pressure is mounting most and how it affects staff retention. Instrumentl’s 2025 Breaking Point report, based on a survey of 250 nonprofit professionals, combines sentiment data with a new Burnout Pressure Index (BPI) to track stress across states and regions.
The District of Columbia ranked highest on the BPI, reflecting intense competition among nonprofits and limited access to mental health support, while rural states such as North Dakota and South Dakota also scored high due to staffing shortages. Western states fared better, though burnout remains a sector-wide challenge.
Regionally, stressors differ. Staff shortages dominate in the Midwest (63%) and Northeast (53%), while role creep, employees taking on responsibilities beyond their job descriptions, is most severe in the South (49%). In the West, role creep is far lower at 25%, suggesting clearer job boundaries help buffer strain.The survey also found that only 45% of nonprofit workers plan to stay in their current roles, with 14% actively seeking new jobs. Retention is strongly linked to competitive pay (59% of staff, 67% of managers), role clarity (36%), and leadership accountability. Mission alignment alone proved insufficient to prevent turnover.
Access to mental health care remains uneven: 54% of staff reported benefits were available, but stigma persists, with nearly one in five fearing judgement if they take leave. Women reported higher levels of role creep and were less comfortable than men in raising burnout concerns.The report recommends practical steps for leaders, including transparent communication, professional development, and rethinking workloads to curb scope creep. Experts stress that supporting staff is not at odds with nonprofit missions; rather, it enables sustainable impact.