Retaining Top Talent in a Competitive Job Market: A Guide for Non-profit Staffing

Finding top-talent employees is difficult enough, but a successful team needs to not only find them, but keep them, too. In the end, retaining those unicorn employees can prove to be just as important as finding them. 

A dedicated team is the backbone of any successful non-profit, driving its mission forward and creating a positive team culture. Losing valuable employees not only disrupts the team’s momentum toward your mission, but can also cost you significantly in time and money. To prevent this, you’ll need strategies that ensure your staff feels valued and useful, which has the built-in benefit of helping your nonprofit achieve its values and mission. With these five tips, you can increase your team’s job satisfaction and overall retention.

Offer Creative Goals and Rewards

One effective way to boost employee morale and job satisfaction is by offering creative goals and rewards. Instead of traditional compensation methods, consider implementing unique incentives that align with your non-profit's mission. Identify attainable goals your employees can reach that help keep the gears turning toward your mission. Consider these incentives that you could offer departments and employees who exceed their goals:

• Flexible or remote work hours
• Recognition awards
• Team outings
• Opportunities to lead projects of interest
• Personalized gifts

These rewards will motivate employees to achieve a high standard of excellence and deepen their connection to your nonprofit’s purpose. By setting meaningful goals and offering valuable rewards, you remind your team that their efforts are appreciated and make a difference. Empowering employees with rewards they value enhances their workplace satisfaction and overall enjoyment.

Offer Generous PTO

While it may seem challenging for a non-profit to offer extensive PTO, the benefits outweigh the costs in the long-run. Ample time for rest and rejuvenation helps prevent burnout, which is a common issue in the non-profit sector. Employees who feel well-rested are more productive, engaged, and committed to their work. Similarly, if employees feel they have the flexibility and abundance of PTO they need to spend meaningful time with their family, they will view their position at your non-profit as sustainable. It also helps your organization remain competitive in the job market: you may not be able to pay as much as the private sector, but offering more PTO can more than make up for it. Generous PTO policies also demonstrate that you value your employees' well-being, fostering a positive and supportive workplace culture.

Promote Valuable Connections

One of the unique advantages of working in the non-profit sector is the opportunity to build valuable connections. Encourage your employees to network by offering them access to industry conventions, leadership opportunities, and mentorship programs. When employees feel that they are growing and advancing in their careers, they are more likely to stay with your non-profit for the long haul.

Verbalize Your Appreciation

Expressing appreciation for your employees' hard work is a simple yet powerful way to boost job satisfaction. Regularly acknowledging their efforts and successes speaks value into their position. Verbal recognition can be as straightforward as a shout-out during team meetings for those who appreciate public recognition, or a thank you note for your more introverted team members. 

This encouragement fosters a positive work environment where employees feel valued and motivated. As a leader, you can set the example that you want your team to replicate, hopefully cultivating a whole team of encouragers. When staff members have confidence that their work is purposeful and valued, they are more likely to remain devoted to the work before them.

Cultivate a Positive Culture

Appreciation and PTO can help, but a lot more goes into building a strong team culture. A strong, shared vision and standard of positivity, work ethic, and teamwork are some key components of a thriving non-profit team. Encourage team-building activities, celebrate holidays together, and create a system for recognizing achievements. You can even display employees’ family and pet photos in common areas to encourage a sense of community. When employees feel connected to each other, they will more joyfully unite in pursuit of a common vision.

When it’s time for outside help

Retaining staff in the non-profit sector requires strategic prioritization of job satisfaction. You can build and retain a dedicated team utilizing these five tips. If you notice your staff culture is divisive and you are losing employees faster than you can replace them, it may be time to seek an expert's perspective.

At Vanderbloemen, we offer an in-depth culture-tool survey to help you understand and improve your staff culture. Investing in your team's well-being and satisfaction is crucial for achieving long-term success in your non-profit's mission. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help you transform your team and create a thriving workplace culture.