Knowledge & Research

This inaugural survey, with participation from over 350 social sector organizations of all sizes and mission types, details what mission-driven organizations are challenged with and prioritizing in their total rewards practices for 2024 and beyond. The results highlight the growing complexities organizations face in building competitive compensation models while addressing evolving employee expectations around work-life balance, transparency and organizational impact.

For the third consecutive year, Nonprofit HR conducted our Social Impact Talent Retention Practices Survey. We designed the concise survey to uncover and share prevailing social sector retention practices across North America. We are excited to invite you to view the critical survey to evaluate and benchmark your HR retention practices against other organizations. After another year of changes and growth in the sector, we anticipate the survey will reveal some eye-opening, exciting shifts in the top focus areas.

From across North America, 250 social sector organizations responded to our survey call to share how they are using generative AI in their human resources functions and missions. The results from this survey provide a roadmap for nonprofits as they begin to embrace the transformative power of generative AI. This isn’t just a technological shift, it’s a cultural evolution that calls for clear communication, adaptable strategies and a commitment to upskilling the workforce.

Over the years Nonprofit HR has witnessed the impact DEIJ has on missions. Collecting, documenting and publishing current diversity practices for mission-driven organizations in North America will strengthen the sector as a whole and allow Nonprofit HR to provide knowledge and best practices in this crucial area of talent management.

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Culture and engagement; learning and development; and performance management were the top three talent management strategy areas survey respondents focused on in both 2022 and previously, in 2021. After another year full of changes and growth in the sector, this report reveals some exciting shifts in the top three areas of focus for 2023.

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What are social sector organizations are most concerned about regarding managing their people resources for 2022? In this survey, Nonprofit HR researchers collected information pertaining to the full lifecycle of talent management and other related topics such as talent acquisition, culture and employee engagement, total rewards and beyond. 

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It is critical in this season of ongoing uncertainty for mission-driven leaders to understand their workforce and have a plan for sustaining their highest performers. Growing evidence suggests that employees are making different decisions about their careers, who they want to work for and where. These survey results reveal how organizational leaders are approaching their 2021 retention practices.

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Leaders from 635 mission-driven organizations in the U.S., Canada and Australia responded to this survey and shared insights on progress, concerns and lessons learned from implemented return-to-workplace and work-from-home plans. One critical finding was that more than half of respondent organizations are considering future remote work options for any position that accommodates remote work. 

Access the webinar recording of our experts reviewing the results!

For the second consecutive year, Nonprofit HR surveyed nonprofits in North America about their diversity efforts and collected data from for-profit social enterprises for the first time. This 2021 report is complemented by results of the Fall 2020 diversity study that captured how national events have impacted progress made by nonprofits since the 2019 survey was published. In addition to detailed survey results, the report includes a compilation of editorials submitted by DEI, talent management and social impact researchers and experts across the sector.