It’s really that simple. A recent Chronicle of Philanthropy article reported on last week’s Young Nonprofit Professionals Network conference in Chicago. What were they talking about? How the nonprofit sector needs to change or die.
In addition to seeking higher wages, young nonprofit workers are looking forward to more professional-development opportunities, especially through leadership structures that encourage shared responsibility among staff members at all levels, said conference participants.
Young nonprofit professionals are not interested in the traditional, hierarchal organizational model that says emerging leaders are only worth $30,000 a year. Alina Prusak, Perspectives reader makes a strong case for restructuring our field:
Organizations need to get real! I am disappointed to know that in a market like DC organizations feel their salaries offerings are acceptable. I live in a market that has considerably cheaper costs of living and its hard to get by on $30k here. I’ve noticed my colleagues taking second jobs (on top of the 40+ hrs they are working) to hack out a living for their families. One of the things I think we need to focus on as young professionals is getting qualified professionals to stop taking jobs they are grossly underpaid for. This condition is unacceptable! Organizations need to see the value of spending $$ on GREAT people money upfront. If they can do this, they will see a savings longterm through lower turnover and training costs, and many will see an increase on the revenue side as well. It costs real money to advertise for positions and interview and train new staff. I also believe its not a sustainable business model to consistently under budget for the talent that you need to get the job done. Can you imagine what your organization would achieve if you had hired the talent you needed?
We all know we need more money in our sector to attract great talent, but the big ass elephant in the room is that it will take more fundraising to bulk up our budgets to do this. And frankly, the money just isn’t out there for the taking. With the rapid growth of new nonprofits springing up, our donor bases are drying up and competition is getting tighter and tighter. So where should our efforts be? Robert Egger says that young leaders have the opportunity and the responsibility to push out of the box, scrap the entire model that’s currently in place, and develop a new one that works for us.
Robert Egger, president of D.C. Central Kitchen, a social-services charity in Washington, called on the nonprofit leaders at the meeting to consider that the solution is not just to make the nonprofit world bigger, more self-sufficient, and more sustainable.
“You all have completely got to redesign charity in America, 100 percent, top to bottom,” he said, adding, “There’s no big pot of money out there that’s going to allow you all to get paid a good wage unless you go out and develop it. What I see in your generation is a desire to see your spirituality, your income, and your lifestyle mesh. It doesn’t exist yet, and I think a lot of people come to the nonprofit sector thinking, I’ll find it there, and can be a little discouraged.”
What’s your take? How do you think the next generation will change the future for the sector? One thing I know for sure is that we’ve got to address the salary disparities at the top of our list. This Sunday, we’re discussing nonprofit compensation on BlogTalkRadio – check us out and call in to participate in the live discussion!
When the Mission Don’t Pay the Mortgage
Sunday April 20, 6-7PM EST
None of us are gonna get rich working in the nonprofit sector. We know that nonprofit salaries are typically the lowest when compared to business and government. So what’s a next generation leader to do when you’re dedicated to the cause, but tired of working for pennies even though you’re doing good work? Elisa Ortiz, Coordinator of Outreach and Special Initiatives at the National Council of Nonprofit Associations (NCNA) joins us for this important discussion. Callers should dial-in (Dial-in number: 646-200-3352) during the show to participate in this discussion.
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