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New research on talent retention, career development, technology, and belonging across nonprofits and associations
Mission-driven professionals are committed to their work—but that commitment isn’t always translating into long-term retention. This report, conducted by Wakefield Research and commissioned by Momentive Software, examines the priorities, challenges, and experiences of nonprofit and association employees, identifying the key factors shaping engagement, career mobility, and organizational sustainability. These insights can help leaders make data-driven decisions to improve employee satisfaction, effectiveness, and impact.
Insight 1
Why employees leave—and what gets them to stay
Most mission-driven professionals don't see a clear path forward at their organization, which creates flight risks for organizational leaders. Employees with career clarity are twice as likely to stay, and those without it report significantly higher dissatisfaction across work-life balance, skills development, and compensation. The gap holds nearly equally across nonprofits (65%) and associations (63%).
of professionals don't see a clear career path at their organization
of employees with clear career paths are not considering leaving, vs. only 27% of those without
agree that intentional employee development would make their organizations more effective
would choose focused skills development over a pay raise to improve job satisfaction
Career path visibility is the single most actionable retention lever in this study. Organizations that make growth opportunities explicit — not assumed — stand to more than double retention among employees most at risk of leaving.
Insight 2
How disconnected tech is driving staff burnout
Disconnected systems and manual workarounds consume the time employees need for professional development and are creating a level of burnout that pushes people out the door. The two challenges compound each other: among employees experiencing tech-driven burnout, 71% also lack clear career paths. Leaders who invest in integrated technology project benefits well beyond productivity.
agree disconnected systems contribute to burnout
experiencing tech-driven burnout are actively exploring other jobs
of employees with tech burnout also lack clear career paths
of leaders projected that integrated platforms would reduce burnout
Technology burnout and career development gaps reinforce each other. When disconnected systems demand constant manual workarounds, they eliminate the time and capacity that employees need to grow, accelerating both disengagement and departure risk.
