Nonprofit HR’s Blog

Results from our ninth annual Nonprofit Employment Practices Survey are in, and the sector has a lot to celebrate, as well as a lot of room for growth. Download the infographic and survey report here, or read on for highlights.

Nonprofit hiring continues

One of the survey’s most optimistic and striking findings is that while private sector job growth remains stagnant, the nonprofit sector continues to project significant job growth. Approximately 57 percent of nonprofits anticipating making a new hire in 2016, a 7 percent increase from 2015, while only 36 percent of private sector companies expect to hire this year (the same percentage as 2015) according to a CareerBuilder survey.

But nonprofits still lag behind in recruitment and retention

Despite the growth boom in the sector, the 2016 survey revealed that most nonprofits still lack the formal recruitment and retention strategies they need to effectively scale their organizations and land top talent. This year, 54 percent of organizations surveyed do not have a formal recruitment strategy and 71 percent do not have a formal recruitment budget. Now more than ever, it’s important for nonprofits to invest in their people and the strategies required to position their teams for success.

Retention is receiving even less attention than recruitment at many nonprofit organizations. This year, 84 percent of nonprofits reported that they do not have a retention strategy, and despite the sector’s 19 percent turnover rate, 76 percent of nonprofits are unsure if they will have a retention strategy in 2016 as well.

It’s time to invest

As the third largest employment industry in the country, and as an industry that has experienced year-over-year job growth since 2009, the nonprofit sector has a lot to be optimistic about. However, if nonprofits are to attract, cultivate and grow the talent required to advance their missions in today’s competitive job market, they must get serious about investing time and resources in human capital strategy. The time is now.

For more information on employment practices and the latest trends in the nonprofit sector, download the 2016 Nonprofit Employment Practices Survey here.

The nonprofit sector is not exempt from struggles with diversity and inclusion. While 9 out of 10 nonprofit employees believe their organization values diversity, more than 7 out of 10 think their employer doesn’t do enough to create a diverse, inclusive workplace.

Purchase the webinar recording of Lisa Brown Alexander, president and CEO of Nonprofit HR, and Pratichi Shah, president and CEO of Flourish Talent Management Solutions, discussing how to truly foster a diverse, equitable and inclusive workplace at your nonprofit.

Purchase webinar.