On-Demand Webinar

The State of the Mission-Driven Workforce in 2026

New research reveals what retains, burns out, and energizes the people behind mission-driven organizations

59% of mission-driven professionals are exploring other career opportunities. At the same time, 85% report feeling a strong sense of belonging at work.

For nonprofit and association leaders, these statistics signal a growing challenge: how to retain the people who power your mission while supporting their growth, engagement, and long-term impact.

Join Nathan Richter, Senior Partner at Wakefield Research, and Tirrah Switzer, CAE, VP of Product Marketing at Momentive Software, for a deeper dive into new research exploring the realities facing today’s mission-driven workforce.

Based on a national survey of nonprofit and association professionals, the State of the Mission-Driven Workforce in 2026 report examines the factors shaping employee engagement, burnout, career mobility, and optimism about the future of the sector.

In this session, we’ll explore what the data reveals about the experience of the people powering mission-driven organizations and what leaders can do to better support, engage, and retain their teams.

This webinar is part of a four-part series. Register now for the first part!

This On-Demand Webinar is part of a series

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During this session, you’ll learn:

  • What new research reveals about the factors influencing retention across mission-driven organizations
  • Why career development, technology, and workplace culture play a critical role in workforce engagement
  • The skills and capabilities professionals say will shape the future of mission-driven work
  • How leaders can better support their teams while strengthening long-term organizational sustainability
  • Practical considerations for building a more resilient, engaged workforce

Presenters

Nathan Richter Square
Senior Partner, Wakefield Research
TirrahSwitzer
VP of Product Marketing, Momentive Software

About the Research

The State of the Mission-Driven Workforce in 2026 report was conducted by Wakefield Research in partnership with Momentive Software.

The study surveyed 500 nonprofit and association professionals across the United States, each with management-level seniority or higher and representing organizations with at least $500K in annual revenue.

The research explores the workforce dynamics shaping mission-driven organizations today, including career development, technology experiences, skills gaps, workplace culture, and long-term workforce optimism.

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