How to Recruit Good Nonprofit Staff at Below Market Compensation

by William J. Moran, J.D., M.S.Ed.

This is a tough one.  If you are looking to recruit good nonprofit staff away from another organization, the lure of higher pay is a powerful one.  It is almost impossible to “recruit” top candidates when you inform them that there will be a “decrease in salary.”

But there are still ways to make good nonprofit hires. Consider the following:

1. Find someone who has the skills and talent for the job but not the experience you would like.  You will have to invest in training.  (ex., a person looking to move into the field).
2. Find someone with a strong passion for your mission who willing to work for less pay.  (This may be a double-edge sword in that you may have a “fanatic” on your hands with strong ideas on how the organization should operate!)
3. Offer the ability to work from home.
4. Offer flex time; the ability to work according to their schedule.  (ex., coming in at noon and working after hours.)
5. Offer part-time work.

For example, as baby boomers move into retirement there are now millions of highly skilled individuals who:

• Have “retired” but want to stay in the work place doing something else.
• Want flexibility.
• Part time
• Would like to define work schedule and hours
• Want to be “productive” not “wealthy.”
• Want to “like the work” not “get ahead.”

As an employer, you will likely need to make adjustments and may end up with “nontraditional workers.”  Still, you can indeed hire good employees at below market compensation.

Bill Moran, The Moran Company, is an executive recruiter who specializes in searches for fundraising staff and executive directors.

© 2012 The Moran Company
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