Nonprofit HR Research & Data

For several years Nonprofit HR has been a leader in nonprofit employment, talent and culture research.

As the need for more social sector-specific data evolves and accelerates, we support nonprofit leaders like you with access to actionable, real-time information to drive your organization’s talent agenda forward. Take a look at our latest nonprofit HR data and research also see the results of our surveys.

New Release: 2023 Nonprofit Talent Management Priorities Survey Results

Culture and engagement; learning and development; and performance management were the top three talent management strategy areas survey respondents focused on in both 2022 and previously, in 2021. After another year full of changes and growth in the sector, this report reveals some exciting shifts in the top three areas of focus for 2023.

Find the following and much more inside this infographic:

  • How talent management priorities have shifted for nonprofits
  • Top three talent management priorities for 2023
  • Demographic insights on respondent organizations

Plus, view this WTOP interview with Lisa Brown Alexander, President & CEO of Nonprofit HR, and Rebecca Dixon, Executive Director of National Employment Law Project (NELP) as they overview the most significant results from the report and the ways nonprofits can win at talent management in 2023. Click here to read the article and watch the full interview!


2022 Social Impact Talent Retention Practices Survey Results

Nonprofit HR sought input from organizational leaders about their current talent retention practices and, during this webinar, will reveal the results. Tune in and hear what retention strategies dozens of mission-types are employing, employee segments they’re most challenged with keeping and retention tactics they are using. Now is the time for all social impact organizations to create, update or maximize your strategies to retain high performers, increase employee engagement and advance your missions.

Download the full report now to view this brand new data!


2022 Nonprofit Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Justice Survey Results

For the third consecutive year, Nonprofit HR surveyed social impact organizations across North America about their diversity (D) practices and priorities, and this year’s survey results offer important insights on equity, inclusion and justice (DEIJ) practices. Tune in to this webinar to find out how mission-driven employers fare in terms of their DEIJ practices and hear about valuable benchmarking data, including:

  • how many social impact organizations have formal DEIJ statements, strategies, and dedicated budgets
  • what organizations report as their greatest diversity challenges
  • tips for moving from diversity statements to position statements
  • how the pandemic and social justice events have impacted decision making about organizational DEIJ practices
  • and much more!

Download this infographic and watch the accompanying webinar recording here!


2022 Nonprofit Talent Management Priorities Survey Results

Access this signature instrument that assesses and reveals what social sector organizations are most concerned about regarding managing their people resources for 2022. In this survey, Nonprofit HR researchers collected information pertaining to the full lifecycle of talent management and other related topics such as talent acquisition, culture and employee engagement, total rewards and beyond. The results shared in this publication are representative of organizations in regions across the nation and are inclusive of all social sector mission types, budgets and sizes ranging from large to mid-sized to micro.

View this infographic as well as the survey results overview webinar recording and past year’s results!


2021 Nonprofit Talent Retention Practices Survey Results

It is critical in this season of ongoing uncertainty for mission-driven leaders to understand their workforce and have a plan for sustaining their highest performers. At the same time, growing evidence suggests that employees are making different decisions about their careers, who they want to work for and where. What’s more? The Great Resignation, a recent trend of premature resignations, is occurring at a time when 80% of Nonprofit Retention Practices Survey respondents indicate that they don’t have formal retention strategies. To better understand these trends and their impacts, Nonprofit HR sought input from organizational leaders about their retention practices for 2021 and the results are in. Download the survey results and find out what mission-driven organizations are doing to keep their high-performers and increase employee engagement!

Download the full report now to view this data!


Nonprofit Return to Workplace Pulse Survey Report

Leaders from 635 mission-driven organizations in the U.S., Canada and Australia responded to the Nonprofit Return to Workplace Pulse Survey and shared insights on progress, concerns and lessons learned from implemented return-to-workplace and work-from-home plans. The responses point to several critical findings, most notably that more than half of respondent organizations are considering future remote work options for any position that accommodates remote work. What is also clear is that nonprofits have been able to shift and sustain their talent management priorities during the pandemic and create new efficiencies to sustain and grow impact. This infographic also includes the summary results of plans and steps taken to ensure uninterrupted service delivery to millions across communities served.

Download the full report now to view this data!


2021 Nonprofit Diversity Practices: with New Survey Results

For the second consecutive year, Nonprofit HR surveyed nonprofits in North America about their diversity efforts and collected data from for-profit social enterprises for the first time. This 2021 report is complemented by results of the Fall 2020 diversity study that captured how national events have impacted progress made by nonprofits since the 2019 survey was published. In addition to detailed survey results, the report includes a compilation of editorials submitted by DEI, talent management and social impact researchers and experts across the sector.

We invite you to access and download this resource for research, insight and tools you can immediately use to advance your organization’s commitment to creating a vibrant and equitable workplace and workforce.


2021 Nonprofit Talent Management Priorities Survey Report

As with prior years, the results of this annual survey showcase what nonprofit organizations will prioritize regarding their people and what the implications are for the sector more broadly when it comes to attracting, developing and retaining staff. Survey responses will offer specific insight into these prioritized practices in terms of the talent management lifecycle, covering the areas of talent attraction and recruitment; hiring and onboarding; performance management; engagement and retention; and more. The results will also reveal how organizations’ talent management practices were impacted by the unprecedented events of 2020, including the coronavirus pandemic, civil unrest and political tension.

Access the 2021 Nonprofit Talent Management Priorities infographic as well as the survey results overview webinar recording and slides!


2020 Survey Findings!

69% of respondents to a recent COVID-19 Pulse Response survey say they can accommodate work from home (WFH) for all or staff. Similarly, 69% indicated that their organizations are considering longer-term WFH policies beyond the pandemic.

See more findings now!

 This resource kit includes data and information about the top three priorities that will guide the talent management efforts for 345 nonprofits who participated in the survey and much, much more.

Download findings now!


2019 Report on Nonprofit Diversity Practices

Download a recent report which includes never before compiled data about diversity practices of social impact organizations across North America. Included in the report you will learn about organizations that have:

  • a formal diversity statement and strategy
  • tips for strengthening your organization’s diversity statement
  • what organizations report as their greatest diversity challenges
  • diversity training tips
  • diversity metrics
  • and much more, including demographic data

Download report now!


Access More Knowledge Resources on the Talent Management Practices of Social Impact Organizations!

For the last decade, our landmark annual Nonprofit Employment Practices survey filled a space for much needed nonprofit employment data. In 2017, we decided to return the survey and direct our attention to more timely, focused surveys throughout the year.

We conduct up-to-the-minute research on talent priorities, HR benchmarks for nonprofits, the future of diversity, equity and inclusion in the social sector and more.


Learn the retention practices of nonprofits across North America!

What can your organization do to keep your employees engaged? The first step is to understand where you stand when it comes to retention. Evaluating where you are and benchmarking your retention practices against those of other nonprofits is a great place to begin. At Nonprofit HR, we know that there continues to be limited data available on nonprofit talent management practices and as a result, we remain committed to help close this gap.

DOWNLOAD THE REPORT


Retention Infographic Cover

2019 Talent Management Priorities survey results are in!
Download a 4-page 2019 infographic!

What is the nonprofit sector most concerned about in regards to talent management?

488 nonprofit leaders and HR professionals across the country participated in third annual Nonprofit Talent Management Priorities survey. The organizations we surveyed spanned a diverse range of budgets, staff sizes and missions. This infographic showcases the top three priorities that will guide the talent management efforts for 488 nonprofits who participated in the survey. 

Download webinar recording now!


2019 Talent Management Priorities Webinar Recording!

And download this a companion webinar recording to hear insights, impacts from the data, and tips for how your organization can leverage its results.

Download webinar recording now

Recently Released: 2018 Nonprofit Talent Management Priorities Survey

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2017 Nonprofit Employment Practices Survey

2017 Nonprofit Employment Practices Survey

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2017 Nonprofit Talent Management Priorities Survey

2017 Nonprofit Talent Management Priorities Survey

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2016 Employment Practices Survey

2016 Employment Practices Survey

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HR Benchmarking Survey

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