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Understanding the Changing Nonprofit Sector

This list of resources—from websites to reports to studies—will help you understand the constantly changing face of the nonprofit sector. These studies address the expected leadership deficit, organizational readiness to engage a diverse workforce, and many other issues that nonprofit organizations and individuals should be aware of.

Research on demographic changes in the nonprofit sector workforce

Are you Experienced? How Boomers Can Help Our Government Meet Its Talent Needs (PDF)

This Civic Ventures Policy Series reports makes a case for government agencies to focus on boomers to help stave off their looming employment crisis. The report calls this strategy a "win-win" situation for boomers and government since it provides experienced professionals with meaningful work and supplies the government with talented, intelligent, and experienced staff.

Boomers are Ready for Nonprofits, But Are Nonprofits Ready for Boomers? (PDF)

This report by the Conference Board discusses ways to deal with shortages of nonprofit employees and leaders. It suggests baby boomers offer a great opportunity for nonprofits to take on experienced professionals. It discusses some barriers to the mid-career transition and provides literary reviews from their past five years of nonprofit research.

Daring to Lead 2006 (PDF)

A comprehensive national study of executive leadership at community-based nonprofits produced by Compass Point and the Meyer Foundation. The report provides data on executive turnover, compensation, career plans, and retirement.

Everyone Matters: A Practical Guide to Building a Community for All Ages (PDF)

This report was commissioned by Oregon's Multnomah County Board of Commissioners to look at opportunities, challenges, best practices, and recommendations for enhancing the lives of older adults in the county. The report has recommendations for employers, county government, funders, and community members.

Families and Work Institue — Reports for download

The Families and Work Institute conducts research studies to provide objective findings on the changes in the workforce and workplace to share with decision-makers in government, business, communities, and families.

Glossary of Terms in Aging (PDF)

This an article is based on a survey of journalists who cover the "Age Beat" in the United States. The article is an interesting discussion of which words attract or repel older adults. It also offers valuable insight into how we can best use the limitations of language to express ourselves, while we search for the new language to describe unique issues facing the "midlife" population.

New Face of Work Survey (PDF)

Civic Ventures compiled this 2005 survey of 1,000 U.S. residents, asking those in their fifties and sixties what type of work they aspire to, what they want to accomplish through this work, and why they want to do it.

Ready to Lead? Next Generation Leaders Speak Out (PDF)

This report explores the perceptions of professionals in the "leadership pipeline" with regards to their interest in someday becoming executive directors of nonprofit organizations.

The responses from almost 6,000 participants demonstrated a real interest in nonprofit leadership but also a number of significant barriers in the way of achieving that goal. The Annie E. Casey Foundation, The Meyer Foundation, Idealist.org, and CompassPoint worked together on this project.

RespectAbility in America: Promising Practices in Civic Engagement of Adults 55+ Initiative (PDF)

The National Council on Aging RespectAbility Initiative details "what is working" and "how it is working" in local organizations and community-wide initiatives experiencing demonstrable success in engaging adults (age 55+) in service to their communities.

Stepping Up or Stepping Out (PDF)

A report on the readiness of the next generation of nonprofit leaders produced by the Young Nonprofit Professionals Network (YNPN). YNPN hopes to encourage the growth of young nonprofit leaders through career development, networking, and social opportunities.

Sector publications

Familiarity with key issues and experts in the nonprofit sector is an essential part of learning about the field. The following is a short list of organizations that have print publications and/or online editions available to view or download. These publications deal with general issues that affect the nonprofit sector. For more specific information, consider researching relevant professional associations to see if they produce their own publications.

Many of these organizations also offer articles, research, and other resources to help you stay up to date on news that impacts the sector, such as political decisions or international events.