Environmental and social justice issues are at the forefront of minds across the country. 2023 research found that two-thirds of adults agreed that corporations and businesses do too little to reduce the effects of climate change. Similarly, over half of consumers wanted brands to take a stance on social justice issues in 2020. As environmental and social concerns remain a pressing issue in society, nonprofits are left to fill gaps left by the failings of governments, corporations, and individuals alike. 

Of the over 20,000 tax-exempt organizations in Arizona in 2018, more than 200 classified themselves as environmental organizations. Even more could be considered “social justice” organizations, with classifications varying from community improvement to societal benefit. With hundreds of organizations hoping to tackle these issues in Arizona alone, nonprofits have a clear role to play in the fight for environmental and social…

Recruiting and retaining nonprofit staff and leaders from marginalized and underrepresented backgrounds is critical to the success of the nonprofit sector. The sector is known for its ability to promote equity and social cohesion and the recruitment and retention of diverse staff is integral to maintaining that purpose. Though establishing and expanding Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives is not unique to the nonprofit sector, it is in a unique position to utilize DEI practices and set the stage for a societal shift in the way social issues are addressed and how power is distributed. This work must start internally for the voluntary sector to lead by example, especially since there remains a gap in the representation of nonprofit beneficiaries and those from marginalized communities among nonprofit staff and leadership teams.

Recruiting and retaining a diverse staff is not only an imperative but is inevitable. The U.S. 2020 census data shows a greater representation of different racial and ethnic groups than the last census (U.S. Census Bureau, 2021). Thus, the nonprofit sector needs to be prepared to adequately meet the needs of a more diverse workforce both for the contentment and fulfillment of individuals as well as organizational performance. Utilizing effective recruitment and retention strategies for diverse teams can increase a nonprofit’s financial performance, capacity to innovate,…

America’s workplaces are changing and the nonprofit sector is no exception. 

A June 2023 report revealed that 42% of workers actively plan to or already have left their jobs this year. Similarly, reports estimated in 2020 estimated that 45% of nonprofit employees would seek a new position in the following five years. Throughout a variety of surveys and studies sharing similar data, one factor in work dissatisfaction remains consistent: bad leadership. 

Nonprofit employees are looking to change the way that they work and they are willing to make great sacrifices to do it. Throughout the sector, staff members are demanding…

The topic of recruiting and retaining high-quality Millennial employees, as well as paying close attention to incoming Gen Z, is important to the nonprofit sector because these individuals are the future of the sector. According to Purdue University Global, by 2025 Millennials will make up about 75% of the global workforce. The Dorothy A. Johnson Center for Philanthropy states that these generations are driving transformation in ways that are more significant than the usual generational succession has. They are “revolutionizing giving and the nonprofit sector, while raising core questions about philanthropy itself in unprecedented ways.”

Organizations that engage this younger cohort are setting themselves up for success by utilizing the advanced skills (some of which are superior to those of their bosses and current co-workers) of this generation. In Gen y Now: Millennials and the Evolution of Leadership the authors explain that these advanced skills paired with the wisdom and experience of those already at the organization, alongside quality leadership create an environment for successfully combatting nonprofit workplace shortages. This is a topic that all sectors are facing but according to the National Council of Nonprofits, what makes this an issue of extreme importance to the nonprofit sector in particular is that while the “job vacancies in the government and business sectors may cause…

Nonprofit organizations that serve communities of color can maximize their impact by diversifying the voices leading their organizations. Currently, the majority of nonprofit CEOs and board members designing policy solutions for communities of color do not reflect the racial identity of those communities. Nonprofits that prioritize racial diversity in their leadership can gain a competitive edge in hiring and retention, build trust with communities of color, and encourage innovation.

A growing body of research shows that diverse teams outperform more homogenous groups. While people may prefer working with others ‘like them,’ these groups tend toward more agreement, less questioning, and poorer results. Diverse groups challenge assumptions and consider alternatives that can lead to innovation and better outcomes. “Out of the box” ideas are more likely to advance…