the nonprofit professional development survey
We’re hosting a survey to learn about the state of professional development in the nonprofit sector. Please take the survey by July 31, 2023 to contribute toward our research. Upon completion, you’ll receive some great gifts from our sponsors!
The survey only takes 7-15 minutes to complete!
Why does your response matter?
1. Because even though we make up the third largest workforce in the US, nonprofit professionals largely do not get the professional development we need to grow.
2. Because we want professional development! Half of nonprofit leaders who leave their jobs do so because they aren’t getting development and growth opportunities.
3. Because our leaders and funders need more data about the types of professional development you need to achieve your career goals.
what do we already know about professional development in the nonprofit sector?
If you work in the US nonprofit sector, you’re part of a major industry:
There are over 1.5 million nonprofits registered in the US, and this number climbs every year.
About one in every ten employees in the country’s private sector works in the nonprofit industry.
We make up the third largest industry in the US, with an even bigger workforce than the manufacturing industry.
These figures don’t even represent the full scope of people who work in the nonprofit sector, as nonprofit consultants, board members, unpaid founders, and other key volunteers are not included.
Despite the significance of our workforce, nonprofiteers often lack adequate professional development and support achieving their goals:
Only about 15% of nonprofit leaders discuss career goals and strategies with their staff.
Many nonprofit leaders may not even know what is currently expected of them; in 2016, only 45% reported having a performance review in the past year.
The average nonprofit has voluntary turnover of 20%, and half of leaders who leave do so because of a lack of professional development and growth opportunities.
And opportunities for professional growth appear to be even scarcer for those from traditionally marginalized groups:
Overall, only about 21% of nonprofit leaders are Black, Indigenous, or other People of Color (BIPOC). In rural areas, 58% of nonprofits have zero board members who are BIPOC.
Only about 5% of nonprofit leaders have a disability.
And only about 10% of nonprofit leaders are part of the LGBTQIA+ community.
With this survey, we’ll gain a better understanding of how to improve access to professional development for all nonprofiteers.
