Nonprofits Are Being Required to Provide Hard Facts to Get Funding

A number of factors are sparking the shift, most notably the dismal economy, which is causing foundations and government agencies to demand that nonprofit groups demonstrate a successful track record. Individual donors are becoming savvier too, using the Internet more to research nonprofits.

Many experts also say the tidal wave of community activism that swept President Barack Obama into office is still having an effect. The White House's Social Innovation office, set up to promote fresh ways of fixing old problems, has a heavy emphasis on measuring results.