I could not agree more with Carol Thompson Cole’s recent article on talent shortages within the non-profit sector. Cole – of Venture Philanthropy Partners – hits on some key issues, especially the increasingly important role of non-profits and hybrid organizations in the delivery of social services around the world.
Furthermore, given the sector’s expected growth, talent is an issue that Acumen Fund believes is of paramount importance. As such, we commend VPP for the article and the study on which it was based: Ready to Lead? Next Generation Leaders Speak Out (PDF).
Cole’s analysis builds on that of Tom Tierney, Executive Director of Bridgespan Group, who wrote “The Leadership Deficit” back in 2006. In it, Tierney asserts that, in order to support the non-profit sector’s growth, we will need 640,000 new leaders in senior positions – and that’s only in the United States. Just think about what this means internationally!
I agree with both Cole and Tierney that the solution lies in creatively recruiting talent from a variety of different groups, ranging from young professions to the retired. It’s more than recruiting, however; addressing the talent gap requires the right investments in professional development across the sector. These investments will help professionals build sustainable career paths within their own organizations and the strengthen the sector as a whole.
Such investments will require a shift in funders’ mindsets, many of whom who typically view an investment in people as “overhead”. Instead, they must begin to recognize such investments as critical to organizations’ ability to most effectively serve their constituencies and missions. Acumen Fund is excited to be part of this dialogue and looks forward to seeing the shift within our sector begin to take shape.
This is a very interesting article.
This is one of the common concern that is keeping away many young leaders and professionals from working full time in non-profit sector.