Rising Demand is the New Normal. Is Your Nonprofit Ready?

Across Canada, more and more people are turning to non-profits and charities for support—many for the first time. Across services (including food banks, mental health services, housing supports, and crisis lines), demand is up and outpacing capacity. In 2022, 22% of Canadians were expected to access charitable services.

Why is the rising demand happening now?

• Affordability crisis Inflation and the high cost of living means more people are seeking help with essentials.

• Pandemic aftershocks COVID-19 didn’t just increase needs, it reshaped them. Many are still dealing with long-term health, employment, and mental health impacts.

• System gaps As public systems struggle to meet demand, nonprofits are filling the gaps.

Since the pandemic, 66% of Canadian charities report a sustained increase in service demand, and 72% say they can't keep up, despite efforts to expand. This isn’t a passing phase; it’s a fundamental shift in how people turn to the sector for support.

So how can your organization keep up without burning out?

Enter: strategic planning and program evaluation.

How can strategic planning help my organization respond to demand?

It offers a way to step back and be clear about what matters most.

• Prioritize like a pro

  You can’t do it all. A good plan helps you determine which programs to grow, which to pause, and where to partner.

• Align capacity with vision

  Planning gives you a clear view of what your team and systems can handle. It also makes space for smart trade-offs instead of panic pivots.

• Rally the troops

  Involving your stakeholders (staff, board, partners, clients) in planning builds a shared purpose, making it easier to gather resources and respond to demands.

What about evaluation?

When things are moving fast, evaluation gives you the data you need to make smarter decisions and adapt effectively.

• Know what’s working (and what’s not) You can’t expand everything. Evaluation shows which programs deliver results and which may need a rethink—or a graceful exit.

  
  

• Make a stronger case

  When you have data that shows unmet demand and the effectiveness of your services, it becomes easier to advocate for more funding, staffing, or policy support. (AKA funder conversations just got easier.)
  

• Spot trends early Evaluation isn’t just for reporting, it’s a learning tool. Spot trends early and shift your strategy before you’re playing catch-up.

It’s clear: the demand isn’t going away

But burnout doesn’t have to be the price of impact.

Strategic planning helps you stay focused and mission-aligned. Evaluation helps you stay nimble, informed, and credible.  Together, they’re not just tools—they’re your nonprofit’s survival kit.

Want to use strategy and/or evaluation to meet rising demand head-on? Let’s chat! We’re here to help.