Ready to Lead? Next Generation Leaders Speak Out

The nonprofit sector is facing what experts call an “unprecedented crisis in leadership,” with organizations across the country struggling to recruit and retain talented staff. In a major study entitled “Ready to Lead? Next Generation Leaders Speak Out” being released today, researchers report what many of us already know – even as baby boomers retire, nonprofit groups stand to lose ambitious young employees who feel underpaid, overwhelmed by long hours and demanding responsibilities, and frustrated by a lack of career progression. For example, 69% of respondents feel underpaid, with only slightly less saying they have serious financial concerns about committing to a nonprofit career. And one in three respondents aspires to become the head of a nonprofit organization, but only 4% said they were being groomed for leadership positions. The study also found that many of the nonprofit organizations are a vibrant force in the economy, and help address key social problems, including homelessness, hunger, violence and illiteracy, in the early stages “which saves the government money down the road.” If the sector continues to struggle with retaining talent, all of this is at risk. The report, which uses data from a survey last fall of about 6,000 nonprofit employees, is the largest national study to date of emerging nonprofit leaders. It was conducted by the Annie E. Casey Foundation, the Eugene and Agnes Meyer Foundation, CompassPoint Nonprofit Services, and Idealist.org. For more on this story click here.