The SISR report—Social Impact Staff Retention Report—represents a bold call to action for the nonprofit sector, shedding light on the critical challenges and opportunities within staff engagement and retention. With striking findings such as 74% of respondents actively seeking new roles and two-thirds uncertain about their long-term future in the sector, the findings offer a grounded perspective from in-house nonprofit leadership.

In November 2023, I decided that I needed to take a step back from nonprofit work. This decision emerged from a sense of being overworked and a depletion of my spiritual, emotional, and physical energies.

The notion of stepping away from my professional responsibilities was very daunting for me. I questioned, “how will I ever explain a several-month gap on my resume??” …

An increasing number of professionals are transitioning from in-house roles to positions 'adjacent to' the nonprofit sector, such as consultants and freelancers. Inherently, this is neither good nor bad. However, a significant, yet under discussed, repercussion of this trend is the emerging shortage of dedicated and willing Expeditioners.

Virtual meetings seem to be a necessary evil in today’s workplace. And there's a crucial conversation we need to have about them. As we continue to navigate online collaboration, it's essential to consider the efficiency, efficacy, and etiquette of these digital gatherings.

One insightful approach comes from the Chief People Officer at Dropbox, who introduced the "three Ds" rule to streamline virtual meetings. The rule is simple: if a meeting doesn't require you to "discuss, debate, and decide" on an issue, then it's more efficient to communicate via Slack or email. This guideline helps in distinguishing between matters that necessitate the collaborative environment of a meeting and those that can be resolved through asynchronous communication.

In the nonprofit sector, the challenges and frustrations surrounding board engagement and effectiveness are so very common. Many of us who have worked in nonprofits can relate to the struggles of navigating board dynamics and ensuring productive collaboration. It’s not for the faint of heart.

However, it's crucial to step back and assess how the board members themselves perceive their roles and contributions.

When it comes to understanding and enhancing donor relationships, one of the most effective tools at a nonprofit's disposal is the donor survey. The Oregon Food Bank offers a prime example of how to craft survey questions that provide meaningful insights. These inquiries are designed not just to gather data but to probe deeper into the donor experience, helping to strengthen the connection between your org and its supporters!