Nonprofit staff are essential to delivering programs and services, yet the workforce is showing clear signs of strain. With many nonprofits struggling to fill vacancies, financial hardship and heavy workloads are common among staff.
“For nonprofit leaders, monitoring and addressing staff burnout may become increasingly important when facing funding challenges and increasing demand,” writes Urban Institute’s Hannah Martin.
“Nonprofit Finance Fund (NFF) highlights that fair pay, better benefits, flexible work options, collaborative leadership, and employee unions support staff well-being.
For funders, supporting the well-being of their grantees’ staff is especially crucial as demand for services continues to rise. NFF offers a guide for funders on supporting nonprofit workers’ well-being, including opening discussions about benefits, fully funding work, providing multiyear and flexible funding, supporting well-being programs and research, and creating platforms for learning and collective action.”
Read The Heart of the Sector, NFF’s in-depth research report and practical guide for nonprofit and philanthropic leaders looking to understand the challenges and implement promising practices for building nonprofit worker well-being.
Originally published in Candid, April 14, 2026