Getting services to people in need often relies on partnerships between government and nonprofits, but reporting requirements can be too onerous

Volunteers can help reduce costs, but most nonprofit social service groups rely heavily on government funding. Brittany Murray/MediaNews Group/Long Beach Press-Telegram via Getty Images

Many Americans celebrate philanthropic donations to privately run institutions of all kinds – from Boys and Girls Clubs to church-sponsored charities – while bemoaning big government.

But they may not realize how heavily nonprofits, especially those providing services for people in need, rely on the public sector for their budgets.