25 Non Profit Surveys Questions: Ultimate Guide for Insights
Discover a complete guide to non profit surveys questions with 40 sample questions to boost donor retention, volunteer loyalty, and program impact.
Introduction
In today's data-driven world, non-profits are under pressure to maximize impact with limited resources. Surveys are a powerful tool to unlock donor retention, volunteer loyalty, and stronger grant proposals. Deploying the right survey at the right time—be it post-event, pre-campaign, or annual pulse checks—can provide actionable insights. For instance, nonprofit organization surveys have an average response rate of 28%, highlighting the importance of strategic survey deployment. (worldmetrics.org)
Donor Satisfaction Survey
Why & When to Use
Deploy this survey 2–4 weeks after a donation or during year-end stewardship campaigns. Its goal is to diagnose pain points in the giving experience, gauge stewardship effectiveness, and predict retention.
Five Sample Questions
- On a scale of 1–10, how satisfied are you with the communication you receive after making a gift?
- Which channel (email, phone, social, mail) made donating easiest for you?
- How confident are you that your contribution makes a tangible impact?
- What one improvement would most increase the likelihood that you donate again?
- How likely are you to recommend our organization to a friend or colleague?
Surveys should be concise, taking no longer than 10 minutes to complete, to avoid overwhelming donors and ensure higher response rates. (donorrelations.com)
Create your survey, it's 100% free
How to Create Your Non-Profit Survey with HeySurvey in 3 Easy Steps
Ready to gather those golden insights using HeySurvey? Don’t worry — it’s as simple as 1-2-3, even if you’re totally new to the platform! Here’s how to launch your survey before you know it:
Step 1: Create a New Survey
Start by logging into HeySurvey or jump right in if you don’t have an account yet. You can:
- Pick a pre-built template tailored for your survey type (like donor satisfaction or volunteer experience).
- Or start from an empty sheet if you want full customization.
You’ll land in the Survey Editor, where you can name your survey and get ready to add questions.
Step 2: Add Questions
Click the Add Question button and choose the question type that fits your needs — from scale ratings to multiple choice or text answers. Input the question text and tweak settings like making questions required or adding images for extra pizzazz. Mix it up with open and closed questions to keep respondents engaged.
Step 3: Publish Your Survey
Hit Preview to see how your survey looks on desktop and mobile—HeySurvey ensures it’s responsive for all devices. When you’re happy, click Publish to get your shareable link. An account is required to publish and track responses, so don’t forget to sign up or log in.
Bonus Steps for Extra Polishing
- Apply Your Branding: Upload your logo and customize colors, fonts, and backgrounds in the Designer Sidebar to make the survey unmistakably yours.
- Define Survey Settings: Set start/end dates, limit response counts, and add redirect URLs for seamless participant experiences.
- Use Branching (Skip Logic): Create smart paths by directing respondents to different questions based on their answers — perfect for personalizing feedback collection.
Done with these? Click the button below to start with a matching template and build your perfect survey fast!
Start Your Survey with HeySurvey Template
For a deeper dive into HeySurvey’s features, check out the full user guide and tips.
New Donor Motivation Survey
Why & When to Use
Send this survey within the first 30 days after a supporter’s inaugural gift. Its goal is to uncover emotional triggers and preferred engagement paths to personalize future appeals.
Five Sample Questions
- What inspired you to make your first gift to our cause today? (select all that apply)
- Which of our program areas resonates most with you?
- How did you first learn about our organization?
- What is the single greatest change you hope your donation will help create?
- How would you like us to keep you updated on project progress?
Research indicates that donors' primary motivations for giving include altruism, trust in the organization, and social influences. (researchgate.net)
Volunteer Experience Survey
Why & When to Use
Issue this survey immediately after a shift or quarterly for long-term volunteers. Its goal is to boost retention, refine training, and build an ambassador community.
Five Sample Questions
- How clear were the instructions provided before your volunteer shift?
- Rate the adequacy of supplies/equipment for completing your tasks.
- Did staff make you feel appreciated for your time and skills?
- What additional training or information would improve your next shift?
- How likely are you to volunteer with us again in the next six months?
Beneficiary Needs Assessment Survey
Why & When to Use
Conduct this survey at program intake or annually to realign services with evolving community needs. Its goal is to ensure interventions remain relevant, inclusive, and fundable.
Five Sample Questions
- Which of the following challenges best describe your current situation? (multi-select)
- How helpful have our existing services been in addressing these challenges?
- What new support or resources would make the biggest difference in your life?
- How comfortable do you feel sharing feedback with our staff?
- In what ways could we improve the accessibility of our programs?
Effective beneficiary needs assessment surveys should include both qualitative and quantitative questions to comprehensively understand community needs and inform program development. (galaxydigital.com)
Program Impact Evaluation Survey
Why & When to Use
Send this survey mid-cycle and at program conclusion to measure outcomes vs. objectives. Its goal is to supply data for grant reporting, case studies, and continuous improvement.
Five Sample Questions
- To what extent has the program improved your knowledge/skills in [specific area]?
- Which program component had the greatest impact on your progress?
- Have you applied what you learned in your daily life? Please provide an example.
- What barriers, if any, prevented you from achieving the desired results?
- Would you recommend this program to others facing similar challenges?
Community Awareness & Perception Survey
Why & When to Use
Run this survey annually or before major rebranding or advocacy campaigns. Its goal is to measure brand visibility, trust, and alignment with community values.
Five Sample Questions
- Prior to this survey, how familiar were you with our organization’s mission?
- In one word, what comes to mind when you hear our organization’s name?
- How credible do you consider our organization compared with others in the sector?
- Which local issues do you most associate with our work?
- Where do you typically see or hear information about our organization?
Event Feedback Survey
Why & When to Use
Send this survey within 24–48 hours after galas, webinars, races, or community forums. Its goal is to improve logistics, programming, and fundraising performance of future events.
Five Sample Questions
- How satisfied were you with the overall event experience?
- Which session or activity provided the most value to you?
- Was the registration and check-in process smooth and efficient?
- How would you rate the quality of networking opportunities?
- What is one thing we should change for next year’s event?
Internal Staff & Board Engagement Survey
Why & When to Use
Conduct this survey biannually or after strategic pivots to maintain mission alignment and prevent burnout. Its goal is to enhance culture, governance effectiveness, and talent retention.
Five Sample Questions
- How clear is your understanding of our strategic priorities for the next 12 months?
- Do you feel your skills are fully utilized in your current role/board seat?
- How effective is communication between leadership and staff/board members?
- What resources or support would help you perform your duties more effectively?
- On a scale of 1–10, how likely are you to remain with the organization for the next year?
Best Practices, Dos & Don’ts for Crafting Non-Profit Survey Questions
Crafting effective survey questions is an art. Here are some best practices to guide you:
Dos:
- Segment your audience: Tailor questions to different groups for more relevant insights.
- Mix closed and open-ended items: Combine quantitative and qualitative questions for a comprehensive view.
- Pre-test your survey: Pilot your survey to identify and fix issues before full deployment.
Don’ts:
- Avoid leading wording: Ensure questions are neutral to prevent bias.
- Steer clear of double-barreled questions: Ask one thing at a time to get clear answers.
- Don’t neglect accessibility: Make your survey accessible to all, including those with disabilities.
- Don’t ignore thank-you incentives: Show appreciation to encourage participation.
By following these guidelines, your surveys can become powerful tools for driving your non-profit's mission forward.
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