BALTIMORE (Map, News) - Young idealists might jump into the nonprofit sector to make a difference in the world, but many believe the need for a difference in their paycheck will prevent them from taking top jobs, according to a new study.

A survey of nearly 6,000 nonprofit employees who do not hold executive director jobs found that 69 percent feel underpaid in their current positions, and 64 percent have financial concerns about committing to a nonprofit career.

Baltimore-based Annie E. Casey Foundation produced the report in partnership with CompassPoint Nonprofit Services, the Meyer Foundation and Idealist.org. The study provides some of the first statistics on a widely discussed issue among nonprofit professionals, said Patrick Corvington, one of the report’s authors and a senior associate with the Casey Foundation.

“There were some things that were startling — the financial barriers, for example,” he said. “It’s not about, ‘I’m not going to take this job.’ It’s, ‘I’m not going to enter this sector’ because of the financial issues.”

According to the study, one-third of respondents said they had aspirations to become executive directors. Corvington said a perceived lower earning potential is partially to blame, but he added the private sector might not be more lucrative.

“If you’re working at a nonprofit with a budget less than $1 million versus a similar-size company in the private sector, I’m not sure the pay differential would be that much,” he said.

The report also cited a lack of mentoring and development to usher young nonprofit workers into an executive director’s chair, with only 4 percent of respondents saying they are explicitly being groomed to lead their organization.

Some young nonprofit professional are also leery of taking a top slot and spending all their time on fundraising and business concerns, rather than the work of the organization, said Tim Almaguer, executive director of the Friends of Patterson Park.

“It’s draining,” he said. “They started in a hands-on position like I did, then moved up, and now find they have to deal with fundraising.”

acahall@baltimoreexaminer.com

Comments from Examiner Readers

11:57 AM MST on Tue., Apr. 29, 2008 re: "Ministry stresses local entrepreneurship"

Examiner Reader said:
It seems as though the Examiner just lets Mr. Corrigan recycle the same story every week or so, and has let him do it for about the last 9 weeks. As much as I support recycling, I think it might be time for a new topic.

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4:59 PM MST on Thu., Dec. 6, 2007 re: "Washington-area nonprofits coordinate different crisis-management strategies"

Examiner Reader said:
It's only a matter of time. Plan thoroughly, consider all options, and where roadblocks are placed before you, find alternatives. Remember that during the Katrina evac, all the buses where in the up-scale part of town that the walkers from poor sections couldn't get to in time. Please be careful. People need you, but there are those who don't want you to succeed.

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8:32 AM MST on Thu., Nov. 22, 2007 re: "Study: Nonprofit employment growing faster than private sector"

Examiner Reader said:
With all the shady, non-taxed, I mean, so-called, non-profits in Maryland, working for a non-profit is working in the private sector.

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11:40 AM MST on Tue., Aug. 14, 2007 re: "Marian House helps at-risk women cultivate independence"

Huh? said:
"[T]his $1.6 million, 22-employee nonprofit has a track record to support its claim." Okay, fair enough. So, what's the track record? Also, if the org has helped about 1,000 women since 1994, that's fewer than 90 women per year and there are 22 employees! It had better be successful at that ratio. Another point: Not-for-profit is merely a tax status. It does not mean that administrators cannot earn a handsome salary. I am not suggesting that is the case here but there's a reason these places don't share that info without being asked.

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8:50 AM MST on Tue., Jul. 3, 2007 re: "Martha�s Place promotes hope for women overcoming addictions"

Examiner Reader said:
As a woman in recovery who needed balance in my life recovery houses such as M artha"s Place deserve to recieve all the available resources to help restore self-esteem, and save lives. How can we mimnimize lives by withholding funds. I am an alumni who's life has been restored because of Martha's Place! I thank God for Elder & Mrs.Harris for leaping out into an area many others have not and willnot accept the challenage to save lives!

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12:18 PM MST on Tue., Jun. 19, 2007 re: "Health Care for the Homeless to expand services"

Examiner Reader said:
Hi! Thank you so much for printing this article. It is a wonderful summary of what this incredible organization does. My husband works for Jeff Singer. Jeff is an incredibly humble, gracious and loving person. He truly cares about each person who comes through his Center. He deeply appreciates the job that everyone does on a daily basis. One can only truly appreciate the magnificent compassion and respect this organization offers to our homeless friends by visiting the center and helping face-to-face, hand-to-hand and heart-to-heart as this family reaches out to those in need. Thanks again for helping to make our neighbors aware of the needs of our brothers and sisters and the assistance provided by these loving angels of mercy!

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12:20 PM MST on Wed., May. 23, 2007 re: "D.C. charity helps kids pump clean water in Africa"

Matthew C. Andrea said:
Please post the contact information for PlayPumps International. This concept is brilliant, fun and uplifting. Definitely something that I would like to support.

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7:21 AM MST on Wed., May. 2, 2007 re: "Advisory board trims list of nonprofit grant applications"

Examiner Reader said:
When is Montgomery County going to realize that Casa of MD is taking them/us to the cleaners?

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