Pay Disparity in the Nonprofit Sector

by Shruthi Kamisetty

This blog post is a series of musings about the non profit industrial complex, community engagement and the way pay inequity operates in the non profit sector. This post is not focusing on any particular non profit. 

I have spent significant time working in the nonprofit sector, specifically in the community engagement field. I have learned so much about what it means to meet people where they are at and how to share information in creative ways and how hard and un-romantic it is to ‘build community’. There is so much to know about communities you are new to - and I have learned that first it takes trust building, and an understanding that people may not trust you or the organization you represent. It also takes time and genuine interest that may or may not happen.

In my time in the nonprofit sector, I have seen many non profits co-opt grassroots action, shield themselves from community accountability, exploit workers, and align themselves with the status quo. It’s easier that way because of the way nonprofits are funded, often by foundations and private corporations. There is more of an obligation to leave the status quo unchallenged. I have a lot of respect for non profits that understand what the scope of their work is, have specific goals and clarity of the socio-political environment they are situated in. 

These days, I have been pondering pay disparity within the nonprofit sector. Why are non profit jobs generally so underpaid - all the while the work that we do gets lauded. Why is my work so important, yet many of my friends and co-workers can’t even get the raise that they want/need. How can there be this chronic pay equity problem and yet, we are tasked with trying to make a change in this complex political environment. In the past, I have asked myself what does it even mean to have a job where I am supposed to organize people for change? And then there’s this bigger question of - are we really shifting anything in the social atmosphere or is it all for naught? To be clear, I have met so many talented people at my time in non profits and I’m sure many have and will have an impact on young people’s lives and on the bigger issues that affect our lives. That being said, it is hard for me to ignore the issue at hand - an issue that many folks are not ready to talk about. I have seen so many people burn out from trying to show up for community, advocate for people and launch creative initiatives. I have seen so many youth workers, care workers, and creative folks try so hard, go above and beyond, and get burned out. Many people have left the nonprofit sector altogether, because working in the non profit sector sometimes means working two or more jobs and barely making rent. 

I’m not sure what the solutions are - I’m sure there are others in our ecosystem that have their finger on the pulse more than me. It feels important to say all these things and maybe spark some ideas and figure out how to do better. If non profits say that they are mission driven, then their missions must apply to their staff too. There are far too many toxic non profits, where transparency is lacking, pay is low and people are burning out. While the nonprofit sector is alive and kicking, we must do better.