CBS Philadelphia on the Rising Cost of Running Nonprofits

Posted February 3, 2026April 3, 2026 in Faculty, News, Public Affairs/Community Development

Reading Time: 4 minutes

When a small nonprofit in Camden faces a $2,800 jump in monthly rent, the story is not just about one organization struggling to stay afloat. It is about a system under strain. That reality was on display in a recent segment on CBS News Philadelphia, where Nathaniel Wright, Graduate Director of the Public Affairs program and Associate Professor of Public Policy and Administration at Rutgers–Camden, provided national context for a deeply local crisis.

Speaking about Saving Grace Ministries, a Camden-based nonprofit that provides trauma-informed care and a safe space for vulnerable children, Wright explained that the organization’s situation reflects a broader pattern. Drawing on national data, he noted that 86 percent of nonprofits across the country have been negatively affected by rising costs. While demand for services continues to grow, most available grant funding remains project-based, leaving organizations scrambling to cover basic operating expenses like rent, utilities, and staffing. As Wright emphasized, unrestricted funds to support day-to-day operations would significantly ease the pressure many nonprofits now face.

The segment underscored why these financial constraints are especially acute in cities like Camden, where location, safety, and community trust are not easily replaced. For organizations serving children and families, moving to a cheaper space is not a simple solution when it risks disrupting access or putting clients in harm’s way. Wright’s analysis helped frame Saving Grace Ministries’ struggle as part of a national challenge, one that calls for rethinking how nonprofit work is funded if these organizations are to continue meeting essential community needs.

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