Same report also highlights that retention and wage equity remain key challenges.
Nonprofits across the London Economic Region are hiring at high rates, but a new report warns that staff retention, wage equity, and growing economic pressures could put the sector under strain.
The Elgin Middlesex Oxford Workforce Planning and Development Board (EMOWPDB), in partnership with Pillar Nonprofit Network, released its annual workforce survey Monday, offering a detailed look at hiring trends, diversity efforts, and challenges in the nonprofit sector.
The 2025 survey found that 89% of nonprofit organizations hired new staff in 2024, primarily for full-time and part-time roles, with over half recruiting entirely from within the London Economic Region. Many of these hires came from equity-deserving groups, including women, young people, immigrants, and racialized individuals.
However, while hiring remains strong, retention is an ongoing concern. Many organizations reported losing younger workers and older adults at high rates. Low wages were a major factor, with only 56% of nonprofits paying all staff a living wage of $19.50 per hour in 2024. Nearly a quarter of organizations cited pay as one of the main reasons employees left, even when offering training, flexible schedules, and wellness programs.
Looking ahead, the report warns of increased workforce pressures in 2025 as nonprofits contend with inflation, staffing shortages, and limited resources, making it more difficult to train, compensate, and retain skilled employees.
