New Annual Report Finds Ventura County Nonprofit Sector Strong at its Foundation, but Under Resourced

VENTURA COUNTY, Calif., Sept. 22, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- The Center for Nonprofit Leadership (CNL) at California Lutheran University has released its 2026 Ventura County Nonprofit Sector Report: Assessing the Financial Health and Resilience of Ventura County's Nonprofit Sector, the first comprehensive, system-level assessment of the financial health of the county's nonprofit ecosystem.

The report finds that Ventura County has a strong and increasingly mature nonprofit infrastructure, but that organizations are operating with significantly fewer financial resources than needed to fully meet community needs. In 2024, Ventura County nonprofits generated more than $3.6 billion in economic activity—approximately 5% of the county's gross domestic product.

"The findings tell an encouraging—but cautionary—story. Ventura County's nonprofit sector has demonstrated significant resilience, but persistent under-capitalization, operating deficits and limited philanthropic investment continue to constrain its ability to build reserves, invest in people and infrastructure, and prepare for future community needs," said Dena Jenson, Executive Director, California Lutheran University Center for Nonprofit Leadership.  

Using the Ventura County Nonprofit Financial Health Index, the report examines financial and workforce trends from 2019 through 2024 across eight dimensions of nonprofit health. Key findings include:

• A strong nonprofit foundation: Ventura County has a healthy mix of small, mid-sized and larger organizations, with little evidence of the "missing middle." Nearly one in four operating nonprofits now has $500,000 or more in annual revenue.
• A significant capacity gap: Ventura County has roughly the same number of nonprofits per resident as California, but nonprofit revenue and assets per resident remain substantially below statewide levels. Estimated 2024 nonprofit revenue was approximately $4,388 per resident, or about 37% of California's level, while assets were approximately $5,836 per resident, about 29% of California's level.
• Persistent financial strain: An estimated 46% of Ventura County operating nonprofits experienced an operating deficit in 2024, the highest rate recorded during the period studied.
• Philanthropic investment remains fragile: Giving has increased since 2019, but estimated charitable giving was only $186 per Ventura County resident in 2024—approximately one-third of California and U.S. levels. Funding also remains concentrated among a relatively small number of major funders.

The report concludes that Ventura County does not lack capable nonprofit organizations; rather, the sector needs greater financial investment and capacity-building to fully realize the potential of the organizations already serving the community.

"Ventura County does not have a shortage of capable nonprofit organizations. It has a shortage of the resources those organizations need to reach their potential. That matters because the financial health of our nonprofit sector is not inevitable—it is a choice we make as a community," said Steve Goodall, author of the report.

The report drew its data from Candid.org, a nationally recognized leader in nonprofit data and transparency. Candid aggregates financial data from the IRS, providing researchers, funders, and organizations with a comprehensive view of philanthropy across the U.S. Workforce indicators incorporate data from the Ventura County Civic Alliance's State of the Region reports.

The 2026 Ventura County Nonprofit Sector Report: Assessing the Financial Health and Resilience of Ventura County's Nonprofit Sector will be officially released at the report launch event on Monday, September 28, from 9–11 a.m. at the Lundring Center at California Lutheran University. Author Goodall, past President and CEO of J.D. Power and Associates, will present and discuss the report's findings, followed by a panel discussion moderated by Elena Brokaw; Executive Director of Museum of Ventura County, featuring Sevet Johnson; County Executive Officer at County of Ventura, Janet Garufis; Chairman and CEO of Montecito Bank & Trust, Erik Nasarenko; District Attorney at County of Ventura, Drew Powers; City Manager of the City of Thousand Oaks, Martita Martinez-Bravo; Councilmember, City of Camarillo  Executive Director, Friends of Fieldworkers, and Scott Heimlich; President of Amgen Foundation & Executive Director, Philanthropy, Amgen.

The event will provide nonprofit leaders, funders, policymakers and community stakeholders an opportunity to explore what the findings mean for Ventura County and how the community can strengthen the financial resilience of the nonprofit sector.

To attend, please reach out to Sophia Coffaro at coffaro@callutheran.edu or Brewster King at brewsterk@callutheran.edu.

About California Lutheran University: 

Founded in 1959 and federally recognized as a Hispanic-Serving Institution since 2016, California Lutheran University is home to over 2,200 undergraduate and 1,000 graduate students. Our students come from 58 countries and represent many faiths and spiritualities. Our dedicated, accomplished faculty teach in small classes, guiding our students as they grow into open-minded leaders who are strong in character and judgment, confident in their identity and vocation, and committed to service and justice. Everyone at Cal Lutheran is committed to helping students pursue their passions, discover their purpose and transform their communities. Learn more at CalLutheran.edu.

About the Center for Nonprofit Leadership:

As the only management training center of its kind in the region, the Center for Nonprofit Leadership provides practical and affordable professional development opportunities for nonprofit leaders serving Ventura and Santa Barbara Counties. The CNL focuses on offering training, technical assistance, and access to research materials to help strengthen the leadership of nonprofit organizations throughout the Central Coast. For more information, visit http://www.callutheran.edu/nonprofit or contact the Center at (805) 493-3740 or email nonprofit@callutheran.edu.

Media Contact: 
Sophia Coffaro, Marketing & Membership Specialist,
(805) 493-3959,
coffaro@CalLutheran.edu

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SOURCE California Lutheran University Center for Nonprofit Leadership