Nonprofit organizations’ access to philanthropic resources, or their philanthropic capacity, varies across communities, yet little is known about how community-level disadvantages affect the disparities in philanthropic capacity. This study investigates how community-level disadvantages affect the philanthropic capacity of nonprofit organizations across American communities. We analyze a unique panel dataset detailing private donations to the human service nonprofit sector at the county level from 2000 to 2019. Our findings indicate that communities that are impoverished, minority prominent, or rural tend to have a lower philanthropic capacity. While government support mitigates the impact of economic disadvantage, it does not significantly alter the effects of minority disadvantage and paradoxically worsens the impact of rural disadvantage. This study underscores the interplay between community disadvantage, government support, and philanthropic capacity, offering insights into the challenges and opportunities facing nonprofits in various community settings.