Would you feel shocked to learn that the nonprofit turnover rate (19%) is 58.3% higher than for other companies?
Unhealthy work experiences in nonprofits, including burnout and a lack of appreciation, are driving turnover in the sector.
There’s no sugarcoating the challenges we face. Low pay. Long hours. Duct-taped office furniture. A board comprised solely of “idea fairies”—you know the type—the kind who think they’re super engaged in fundraising because they told you to “just ask Oprah.” (Never mind that they don’t know her or have her phone number).
Got stubborn board members who balk at term limits? How about a boss, CEO, or board member who thinks that just because they don’t like something (like monthly giving, legacy marketing, direct mail, full-page reply devices), donors won’t like it either? [Pro tip: you’re not your target audience.]
Or when you’ve spent hours crafting a donor-centered appeal only to find your CEO “fixed it” by taking the donor out of the story and replacing all the immersive storytelling with a litany of your organization’s accomplishments. Ouch!
Hungry? Great! We’ve got a barren wasteland of sad office snacks. A wilted graveyard of half-eaten Jason’s Deli sandwiches. A stale day-old box of donuts. Carrots and broccoli crowns with a side of ranch dressing more congealed than creamy.
I could go on all day. I wrote a fundraiser’s bill of rights. But—on top of having a right to operational office furniture and leaders who understand and respect how fundraising works—you have to take care of #1. I’m talking about you here!
If you don’t take good care of yourself, who will? This world needs your talents, and fundraising stress shouldn’t take that away. Nonprofit burnout hurts you and your cause.
Step one: Nurture yourself
If you’re not sure how burned out you are, take this quick assessment. Then grab a copy of my friend Beth Kanter’s book, The Happy Healthy Nonprofit, and check out the free apps to help you build self-care behaviors to reduce your overwhelm.
Need self-care ideas that don’t cost a dime? Check out Beth’s self-care checklist.
On a personal note, I found myself in a full-blown elder care crisis two years ago with my mom and stepdad yo-yo-ing through emergency rooms, skilled nursing, and rehab like a pinball machine. My sister and I had to sell their home and move them into assisted living with a combative stepbrother who stole everything of value from their home and then drained their bank account. After seeing me living on fumes, a friend suggested: “Every time you’re about to do something for your mom, stop and do something for yourself instead.” Whether I took a walk, tended to my houseplants, or put my feet up on the couch and slathered my face with moisturizer, each action felt like a healthy and restorative investment in myself that dramatically boosted my sense of well-being.
Please do everything that brings you joy—spending time with friends, traveling, crafting, stand-up comedy, April Fool’s Jokes (my personal favorite)—whatever fills your heart.
The truth is, we never climb the fundraising mountain, get to the top, and shout down to everyone below, “Hey everybody! I’m here! I made it!” You’ll wake up tomorrow with another mountain to climb and, yes, more money to raise (I guarantee it).
Step two: Manage your workload
Having a fundraising plan is critical to measuring your workload.
You need clear, measurable, realistic fundraising goals rooted in fact, not fiction, based on donor giving history and capacity—not a pie-in-the-sky number your CEO gave you.
Need help drafting that plan? I got your back! Download this 3-month road map.
Fundraising without a plan is like driving a car blindfolded—it only adds to fundraising stress. If you’re soliciting major gifts for your nonprofit, you need a portfolio of ask amounts for each donor set to a 12-month calendar.
Step three: Build a supportive work environment
If your nonprofit workplace lacks a healthy culture of generosity, try modeling the change you wish to see.
Toxic environments thrive on silence and isolation. Nothing changes until enough people model a better way—whether that’s setting boundaries, pushing back on unfair expectations, or supporting each other.
Help others feel empowered to speak up—in meetings or through group efforts.
Encourage small wins, like getting your leadership to acknowledge burnout and prioritize workplace well-being, or creating a team norm of respecting time off. If leadership isn’t responsive, look for board members, funders, or external allies who care about staff well-being.
Set clear expectations for roles and responsibilities to prevent overwork and confusion. Implement consistent feedback loops—not just annual performance reviews.
Encourage cross-team collaboration to reduce silos and increase team cohesion. Welcome new hires with an onboarding process that sets a positive tone. Foster a culture of learning by offering professional development opportunities (trainings, conferences, mentorships).
Most importantly—celebrate what you want more of! What gets rewarded gets done.
You matter too
Nonprofit burnout isn’t just part of the job—it’s a sign something needs to change. You can’t give your best if you’re running on empty. Your mission matters, but so do you.
Take care of yourself. Set boundaries. Advocate for a healthier workplace. And don’t wait for someone else to make things better—start with the things you can control.
What’s one thing you’ll do this week to combat nonprofit burnout and take care of yourself? Drop a comment below!
The post Nonprofit Burnout Is Real—Here’s How To Fight Back appeared first on Bloomerang.
