The nonprofit leader’s guide to keeping good people
A collection of ways to help you build a positive culture that keeps top talent in the fold.
August 18, 2026 | Read Time: 1 minute
Nonprofit leaders ask a lot of their staff, often while paying wages that can’t compete with the corporate world. For years, the sector wore thrift as a badge of honor. But a work force stretched to its limit is one that burns out, turns over, and takes hard-won expertise out the door.
A growing number of leaders are rejecting the idea that doing more with less is a virtue. They’re fostering a positive culture by raising pay, protecting staff from burnout, offering sabbaticals, and treating remote flexibility and bonuses as retention tools rather than luxuries — investments that pay off in the quality and continuity of the work, experts say.
“Our sector sometimes is proud of the fact that we’re cheaper, saving money, and we’ve got the lowest overhead ratio,” says Cathy Taylor, president and CEO of the Lawson Foundation. “That’s not a competition to be proud of [winning]. Investing in your people that do great work is something to be proud of.”
Here’s a collection of resources to help you build a culture in which good workers thrive — from raising pay and easing burnout to offering remote work and bonuses to keep top talent in the fold.
Editor’s note: Chronicle playbooks are updated on an ongoing basis as new advice becomes available.
To keep staff from burning out, close the whole office for a week
“Our offices are closed this week.” Why more nonprofits are taking a synchronized break that does what individual vacation days can't.
Want to pay staff more? Here’s how to raise the money
Leaders who’ve done it share how to raise more — from donors big and small — and pay staff what they deserve.
How to Increase Pay at Your Nonprofit
Nonprofit leaders who raised staff salaries share how they won over their boards and found the money to make it happen.
4 Practical Fixes for the Nonprofit Burnout Crisis
What nonprofit leaders can do to keep their best people from walking out the door.
The High Cost of Low Nonprofit Pay
Millions of nonprofit workers don’t make enough to sustain themselves. Experts warn it’s time for boards and funders to stop ignoring the math and start…
Conquering Turnover With Culture, Flexibility, and Growth Paths
The job market isn’t pushing people to stay. Here are better solutions.
Sabbaticals Strengthen Leaders and Nonprofits: Here’s How to Recharge
Five nonprofit heads share insights about their recent sabbaticals. Here are their top tips on how and why to take time to recharge, even during…
Listen Now: Smart Solutions to Hire and Retain Top Talent
Nonprofit executives Jordan Shenker and Keena Friday share tips on how to recruit and keep great staff members. While nonprofits can’t always compete with corporate…
For Nonprofits, Remote Work Offers a Competitive Edge
Organizations that offer flexible work arrangements have a leg up in recruiting and retaining staff. The harder part is cultivating culture and in-person connection.
Bonuses Can Help Nonprofits Stretch Budgets and Retain Fundraisers
Workplace culture plays a crucial role in how well incentive compensation works to draw in potential hires.
Attract, Motivate, and Retain Top Talent
In today’s competitive job market, nonprofits of all sizes and missions are facing the toughest hiring market in a generation. Talented nonprofit professionals are demanding…
