New 2026 Nonprofit Compensation & Talent Strategies Report Highlights Resilience, Progress, and Innovation in the Sector

The nonprofit sector is experiencing cautious stabilization, according to a new workforce insights report that highlights both progress and ongoing challenges in recruitment, retention, and compensation.

New York, New York — Nonprofits across the United States are demonstrating renewed strength and adaptability in the face of ongoing workforce and funding challenges, according to the newly released2026 Nonprofit Compensation & Talent Strategies Report from Career Blazers Nonprofit Search.

The report reveals that while challenges persist, the sector is moving forward with greater efficiency, transparency, and purpose, emerging stronger and more strategically focused than ever.

Drawing on responses from nonprofit organizations nationwide, the report benchmarks compensation across 36 leadership and mid-management roles and examines emerging trends in recruitment, retention, and talent strategy.The findings reveal a sector that is becoming faster, smarter, and more intentional about how it attracts and develops talent.

“The data shows a sector that is not only coping with a tumultuous environment, but reinventing itself,” said Barbara Gebhardt, CEO of Career Blazers Nonprofit Search.  “Nonprofits are embracing innovative workforce strategies while holding fast to what defines them: purpose, empathy, and impact. The organizations leading today are those that see every challenge as an opportunity to innovate and strengthen their people.”

More nonprofits are filling open roles within 60 days. However, nearly half still face challenges in finding qualified candidates, especially in fundraising and program management. Mission fit and emotional intelligence are top hiring priorities, while competitive pay remains a key factor in attracting and retaining talent.

Retention across the sector remains relatively stable compared to many for-profit industries, with turnover stabilizing as organizations invest in wellness initiatives, flexible benefits, and leadership development to sustain engagement.

Hybrid work has matured into the standard operating model, balancing flexibility with collaboration. Pay transparency has evolved from a compliance requirement to a hallmark of equity and trust, strengthening workplace culture and retention.

Nonprofits are using AI to boost efficiency in research, outreach, and operations, paving the way for more innovative, strategic integration. Adoption remains uneven, with thirty-six percent of nonprofits using AI primarily for content creation, research, and presentations. Nearly all (97%) do not require AI skills in hiring, underscoring a growing need for workforce training and digital literacy. The next two years are expected to bring a shift from experimentation to institutional adoption, as nonprofits harness AI to drive data-informed impact.

Financial strain is growing: 40% of nonprofits report workforce reductions tied to unstable funding. At the same time, diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives have slowed, shifting from expansion to maintenance. “The data shows a sector in transition—one that’s learning to balance mission with workforce expectations and a tumultuous environment,” said Gebhardt. “Sustaining long-term impact will require innovation in recruitment, compensation, leadership development, and funding strategies.”

The 2026 Nonprofit Compensation & Talent Strategies Report offers salary benchmarks by organizational size (from under $2 million to over $250 million) and by geography for executive and mid-level roles. It examines trends in recruitment, retention, compensation, pay transparency, AI adoption, and DEI – equipping nonprofit leaders with the data and insights needed to make informed workforce decisions.

The full 2026 Nonprofit Compensation & Talent Strategies Report is available at www.CareerBlazersNonprofitSearch.com.

ABOUT CAREER BLAZERS

Career Blazers Nonprofit Search has a rich history dating back to 1949. The team represents years of leadership experience in employment, placement, and the nonprofit sector. For over 75 years, the organization has provided a reliable framework for evaluating emerging trends, opportunities, and challenges in the talent marketplace. For more information, visit www.careerblazersnonprofitsearch.com.