Battling Burnout in the Nonprofit Sector

Our founder, Dr. Emilie Socash , originally wrote this blog post in 2022, highlighting an uptick in what we were seeing in our clients: high turnover, low morale, and an overall sense of stress throughout each level of the organizations we worked with.

We now see a greater attention to self-care in many nonprofits, including embracing the concept of creating a trauma-informed organizational culture. Yet there's more work to be done to help those who help the community find balance, whether that's through Dr. Emilie's "Courageous Self-Care Starter Kit " course, her workshops , or designing self-care practices for yourself and your team.

According to Aflac , 59% of all American workers are currently experiencing burnout, a figure that has been increasing annually since the levels reported in 2020 at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. In particular, nonprofit burnout is at epidemic proportions due to fatigue with the mission, demanding donors and board members, extensive working hours and obligations, low pay, little time off, and all-encompassing stress from passionately serving their mission.

So how can nonprofit organizations of all kinds counteract employee burnout? Aflac has three suggested methods for improving employee wellness.

Create Resources for Self-Care

Creating resources for self-care not only improves employee wellness but also shows employees that you are invested in their well-being and care about their mental health. Offer resources such as free or discounted gym memberships, reimbursement for therapy sessions or yoga classes, or even just an office refrigerator filled with healthy snacks and drinks. These small gestures can have a big impact on morale and help prevent nonprofit burnout before it starts.

Establish a Culture that Discourages On-Demand Work Outside of Office Hours

It is important to set boundaries within your organization around when employees should be accessible outside of office hours. It is common in many workplaces—especially nonprofits—for expectations to blur around when on-demand work should be done; however, this can lead to widespread nonprofit burnout if not managed correctly. Make sure everyone is aware that while sometimes there may be urgent tasks that require extra attention outside of regular office hours, these situations should be few and far between and should never become the norm.

Encourage Time Off for Wellness Activities ?

Encouraging employees to take time off for wellness activities is another great way to combat burnout in your team members. Giving them permission to take some time away from work allows them to recharge both mentally and physically so they can come back feeling refreshed with new energy and ideas. This could mean anything from taking a day trip somewhere new or simply taking a day off from work every once in a while. Either way, giving people permission to take time away from work will go a long way towards reducing employee burnout!

Nonprofit burnout is becoming increasingly common among all types of workers - at all levels throughout a nonprofit organization - so it's essential that employers recognize this issue and make efforts towards improving employee wellness initiatives accordingly. By creating resources for self-care, establishing a culture that discourages on-demand work outside of normal office hours, and encouraging staff members to take time off for wellness activities - nonprofit organizations can help reduce burnout among their teams while also showing their employees they value their wellbeing!

Takeaways & Going Further

In conclusion, addressing burnout in the nonprofit sector requires intentional, ongoing efforts to prioritize employee well-being. By implementing simple yet meaningful initiatives—such as providing self-care resources, setting boundaries around work hours, and encouraging regular wellness breaks—nonprofit organizations can create a supportive culture that values their team members' mental and physical health. These steps not only help prevent burnout but also lead to a more energized, committed workforce that can better serve the mission. Now more than ever, investing in the wellness of nonprofit employees is crucial for long-term success.