Nonprofits earn public trust through service to communities

As many of us in the nonprofit sector know, public trust is not a given. It must be earned, and upheld, through action, transparency, and a deep commitment to the communities we serve. In today’s fractured landscape, where polarization and skepticism run high, the nonprofit sector stands out as a rare trusted voice. But that trust is neither guaranteed nor permanent. Nonprofits earn trust and safeguard it by continuing to show up—openly, responsibly, and authentically. 

Nonprofits remain the most highly trusted sector 

Independent Sector’s newly released Trust in Nonprofits and Philanthropy study provides an important snapshot of where we stand. Now in its sixth year, this national study reveals that 57% of Americans have high trust in nonprofit organizations “to do what is right.” That figure is unchanged from 2024 and places nonprofits above every other sector, including the military (45%), small businesses (42%), private foundations (38%), the media (20%), and local (25%), state (22%), and federal (18%) government. 

This is both encouraging and sobering. Encouraging, because we clearly hold a unique position in the public’s mind. Sobering, because trust is becoming increasingly rare, and at 57%, we still have ground to gain. The data reflects the real impacts nonprofits have in communities but also reinforces that trust cannot be taken for granted. 

Nonprofits can earn public trust through volunteerism 

People want more than rhetoric. They want to see and understand the real benefits that organizations bring to their lives. Nonprofits earn trust by delivering on their mission through meaningful service, tangible outcomes, and authentic community engagement. This is where volunteerism often plays a critical role. 

Service is one of America’s most defining values. It’s woven into our national character—the belief that anyone, regardless of background or means, can roll up their sleeves and make a difference. Volunteerism is not just a mechanism for delivering services. It’s a powerful force for social cohesion. It connects people across divides, offers a shared purpose, and fosters empathy through action. In short, volunteerism is a trust builder. And nonprofits earn public trust in making that possible. 

Think about how volunteers respond after a natural disaster. Community members, neighbors, and strangers come together to rebuild homes, distribute food, and check on one another. That kind of grassroots mobilization doesn’t just address immediate needs; it creates enduring bonds between people, organizations, and communities. 

Nonprofits help build trust and support collective action 

Nonprofits are the engine behind this work. We provide the structure and opportunities that make service possible by recruiting and training volunteers, coordinating efforts, and creating on-ramps for people to share their time, skills, and passion. Whether it’s tutoring a student, supporting refugee families, or advocating for clean air and water, nonprofits make service accessible and impactful. 

In a time when loneliness and disconnection are rising—what former Surgeon General Vivek Murthy has called an “epidemic of loneliness”—volunteerism is one of the most effective antidotes we have. It brings people together around common goals, helping them move beyond individual concerns and toward collective action. When people serve, they often discover something essential: a shared humanity that crosses political, economic, and cultural lines. 

Nonprofits empower communities as partners 

The Trust in Nonprofits and Philanthropy study also reveals where we have other important work to do. Only 29% of Americans express high trust in wealthy individuals engaged in philanthropy. Many view their actions with suspicion, worried about potential outsized influence and questionable motives. And while 69% of respondents believe nonprofits and government must work together to solve social problems, 59% say the two often have conflicting priorities. 

These findings underscore the importance of staying grounded in community voice and values—because people want solutions rooted in real impact, not shaped by outside agendas or competing interests. We cannot afford to drift from our missions in pursuit of dollars or influence. Nonprofits earn trust by demonstrating accountability, and that means being clear about who we serve, how we operate, and what we stand for. It also means empowering communities, not just serving them. 

Volunteerism plays a vital role here, too. When people are invited to co-create solutions, they become partners, not just recipients of services, and trust between individuals and nonprofits deepens. Service offers a unique invitation to the communities we serve: to step into the work, to get involved, and to help shape the change we seek.  

At a time when division dominates headlines, service to and with communities reminds us that we are more than what divides us. It shows us what we can build together. And it helps ensure that the public trust placed in nonprofits today continues to grow tomorrow. 

We have a responsibility—and an opportunity—to preserve and strengthen that trust in nonprofits. We will need to show up with transparency, purpose, and humility. By creating meaningful pathways for people to engage, serve, and lead, we can reinforce the most American of ideals: that everyone has something to contribute, and every contribution matters. Because trust is something we build together. 

Photo credit: Jacob Wackerhausen via Getty Images