Three Reasons Nonprofit and Social Impact Organizations Should Regularly Revisit Their Employee Value Proposition  

Nonprofit and social impact organizations serve as critical support for their communities. From addressing social issues, improving awareness, and increasing advocacy efforts, and more—their work is needed. These organizations rely on dedicated and passionate employees to accomplish their missions effectively. However, attracting and retaining talent in the non-profit sector can be challenging.  

One way to address this challenge, is for non-profit and social impact organization leadership teams to regularly review their employee value proposition (EVP) to ensure that it remains compelling and aligned with their mission, and that progress is being made against it.  

Here’s why: 

Continual Alignment with Organizational Values

In the dynamic landscape of nonprofit and social impact organizations, tracking progress against the EVP to ensure continued alignment with the organization’s core values is crucial. While the EVP and values won’t likely change regularly, assessing how the actions of the organization and the individual team members reflect those values and promises is essential. If there’s a misalignment, it becomes imperative to address the issues and find new opportunities to deliver.  

For example, suppose an organization has collaboration as a value and/or commits to providing a psychologically safe workplace as part of its EVP but fails to offer opportunities to share ideas or feedback. In that case, the actions of the organization are misaligned with its values and EVP, and it would be an opportunity to revisit how the organization can better live up to its EVP and values, and build a workplace where employees genuinely feel psychologically safe and connected.  
 
This ongoing evaluation and adjustment process ensures that the organization remains focused on purpose, demonstrates a commitment to its team, and can help engage employees and motivate them to contribute meaningfully to its purpose and mission. 

Aligning Employee Expectations with Organizational Purpose 

Regularly revisiting and tracking progress against the EVP serves a dual purpose for organizations. It helps align employee expectations and helps employees understand their integral role in the organization’s success and the impact they have on the communities they serve.   

Aligning expectations between employees and employers is key to creating a well-rounded and high-performing workplace. For instance, if the EVP highlights a workplace characterized by flexibility and inclusivity, and employees express their desire for a 4-day remote work plan, it’s a matter of managing these expectations effectively. As the employer, you can offer an environment that thrives on a flexible schedule. This empowers your team to choose whether to work from the office or remotely, accommodating their needs—childcare, appointments, or other life obligations—while still adhering to and working towards company performance goals. Set a plan for how you will deliver on your promises. Additionally, if you find leadership is not living up to that commitment, address and revise how you approach the delivery. 

Ensure Leaders Can Confidently Relay Your EVP  

Ensuring leaders are well-versed on the EVP and organizational values, and that they are confident discussing both as part of their recruitment and retention strategies can help lead to better engagement, a stronger candidate pipeline, and better overall organizational culture. For example, leaders who are confident speaking to the EVP will be better able to sell the organization to potential candidates during job interviews and feel better equipped to address opportunities and challenges during stay interviews or performance reviews.  

Regularly revisiting the organization’s EVP and values with leaders is also an excellent opportunity to ensure your organization’s people leaders are delivering a clear, consistent message not just about the company, but about the role their people play in helping to achieve its performance and impact goals. 

Experts in Non-profit and Social Impact Executive Search

For over 25 years, we have been dedicated to matching mission and purpose-driven organizations with top purpose-driven candidates. Our team of experts has developed an extensive network and knowledge of the non-profit and social impact sectors, and we excel in helping our clients find the best possible talent to support their growth and performance goals. 

Let’s start a conversation—contact us today to talk to one of our dedicated team members.