Nonprofits Must Embrace Transparency, Flexibility to Attract Talent

Filling a seat and collecting a paycheck aren’t enough for the new generation of nonprofit employees.

With Millennials representing the largest group of Michigan’s 430,000 nonprofit sector employees, their employers need to pay attention to what will attract and retain this growing sector, said Bill Gesaman, strategic growth officer with the Michigan Nonprofit Association. 

Gesaman moderated a panel discussion during the 2018 MiBiz Best-Managed Nonprofits Awards and NextGen Nonprofits educational event Jan. 24 at the Goei Center in Grand Rapids.

“You have people who want to feel like they’re more than just a butt in a seat,” said panelist Denavvia Mojet, strategic communications coordinator with Grand Rapids-based LINC Up. 

As an employee, Mojet wants her voice to be heard during meetings and she wants to walk into a role where she knows she’ll be adding value to the organization.

“I don’t want to step into an already cut-out role,” Mojet said. “I don’t feel like I’ll be happy if I don’t have a job where I’ll have an impact on the areas that mean the most to me.”