Here's how you can assess your market value in salary negotiations within the philanthropy field.

1 Research Norms

When you're preparing for salary negotiations, begin by researching the typical pay scales for your role in the philanthropy field. Look at job postings, industry salary surveys, and professional association reports to gather information on what organizations are offering for positions similar to yours. This will give you a baseline understanding of what you might expect in terms of compensation. Remember, factors like geographical location, the size of the organization, and its budget can significantly influence salary norms.

2 Evaluate Skills

Your unique skill set is a significant factor in determining your market value. Take stock of your qualifications, experiences, and any specialized knowledge you possess that's pertinent to the philanthropy sector. Reflect on how these skills have contributed to your current organization's success. If you've acquired new skills or certifications since your last salary review, make sure to factor these into your assessment as they may increase your market value.

3 Consider Impact

Assessing the impact of your work is another critical step in understanding your market value. Think about the successful projects you've led or contributed to and how they've advanced your organization's mission. Have you helped to secure new funding, implement innovative programs, or improve operational efficiency? Quantifying your achievements can strengthen your position in salary negotiations by clearly demonstrating your value to the organization.

4 Know Needs

It's also important to consider the needs of your organization and how they align with your skills and experience. If you possess a set of skills that are particularly scarce within the philanthropy field or within your organization, this scarcity can increase your market value. Additionally, if your role is crucial to your organization's operation or growth, this may also give you leverage in salary negotiations.

5 Leverage Network

Your professional network can be a valuable resource when assessing your market value. Reach out to mentors, colleagues, and industry contacts to get their insights on compensation trends and to validate your findings. These conversations can provide anecdotal evidence to support the data you've gathered and may also reveal additional factors that could influence your market value that you hadn't considered.

6 Plan Approach

Once you've gathered all the necessary information, it's time to plan your approach to the salary negotiation. This should include not only the desired salary figure but also the rationale behind it. Prepare to articulate how your skills, experience, and impact align with the organization's needs and goals. Approach the negotiation with confidence, but be prepared for compromise. Having a clear understanding of your market value will empower you to engage in discussions that are both fair and assertive.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?