With a staff turnover rate of just eighteen months for senior leadership roles in the nonprofit sector, we know that retention of skilled professionals is a serious issue for charitable organizations across the country.
With such high demand for good fundraising talent, job-hopping is a common practice among fundraising professionals. Unfortunately high turnover rates do nothing to help improve perceptions about how fundraisers add value to organizations. Nor does it help nonprofits raise more money for their missions.
Yet, should a fundraising professional stay in a job where they are not being set-up for success? Should fundraisers accept working in an environment where there is a lack of understanding about what it takes to get positive results? Should good fundraisers stay in a toxic climate just to improve the sector’s retention rates? Of course not!
If you are considering a move, how can you ensure that you are not jumping from the frying pan into the fire? How do you know that your next move is the right one?
Nonprofit Employer of Choice Award
Hilborn;ECS is again taking a leadership role in the sector with the launch of the new Nonprofit Employer of Choice (NEOC) Awards that recognizes those organizations who have committed themselves to becoming better managers of financial and human resources. By partnering with CCEOC Inc. as well as The Goldie Company this new awards program for nonprofit employers is the first of its kind in Canada.“Since 2004, CCEOC has worked to elevate corporate reputations, increase worker morale and engagement, improve business performance and help create better work environments. We will continually look for new ways to create a better, more enjoyable working world and we are thrilled to be working with Hilborn:ECS to help do the same for the nonprofit sector,” says Jeff Doran, President of CCEOC.
Who is eligible?
Participating nonprofits must meet the following eligibility criteria:
Registered as a Canadian nonprofit (or charity)
Have a physical presence in Canada
Have 10 or more full-time employees
Have been in operation for a minimum of one year
If a nonprofit has multiple locations, divisions, affiliates or subsidiaries that are part of the same legal entity, they may complete a combined entry under the name of the parent organization.
Each application will complete a three-step application process that includes a staff commitment survey. At the end of the process a report will be provided that outlines where the gaps are and how management can work to improve their score.
Awards will be presented at a special ceremony in November and a special issue of Charity eNEWS will share the results with those who are unable to attend the awards ceremony.
Given the current leadership crisis in the sector, we know that fundraising professionals need to stay in their jobs longer and for that to happen, employers must do a better job to attract and retain accomplished talent. We have a lot of work to do, but this awards program is a good start.
For more information and to submit your application visit http://neoc.ca/ a The deadline for applications is September 30, 2015
Kimberley is deeply passionate about building the capacity of the charitable sector and is the part time editor of Hilborn Charity eNEWS. When she is not sourcing out excellent content to share in this newsletter, she works with organizations to advance a culture of philanthropy among staff and senior volunteers, and ultimately raise more money for their missions. Contact her via@kimberleycanada, email her, phone her at 289-231-1339 or visit her website.
