For mission-driven organizations, the idea of “compensation” can feel complicated. It can’t be the main focus of your time and efforts, but fumbling compensation means your staff could be under equipped for your mission. Budgets are tight, staff wear multiple hats, and volunteers give their time free of charge. However, when compensation is handled well, with transparency, intentionality, and creativity, it strengthens culture, boosts morale, and ultimately fuels the mission.
Staff salaries: A matter of fairness and retention
For most, “compensation” immediately brings salaries to mind. For nonprofit and church staff, fair and competitive pay isn’t about chasing wider margins—it’s about sustainability. Underpaying team members not only contributes to burnout and turnover, it can unintentionally signal that their work is less valuable to the mission your team cares so deeply for.
Setting appropriate salaries requires more than guesswork or copying what others do. It means benchmarking against reliable data for each role in your industry, considering the cost of living, and adjusting for experience and responsibility.
Volunteers deserve appreciation too
Volunteers are an invisible engine of mission-based work. While they aren’t compensated with a paycheck, their time and energy should be met with gratitude that also feels tangible. Handwritten notes, public recognition, and thoughtful tokens of appreciation go a long way.
Better yet, bring volunteers into the story of the organization. Share stories, invite them to strategic meetings where appropriate, and communicate vision early and often. A “cascading information” approach builds trust and helps volunteers feel like insiders—not just helpers.
Hosting an end-of-year (or end-of-school-year) celebration is another powerful way to honor their service. It’s more than a party—it’s a chance to say, “We see you. We couldn’t do this without you.” Investing into meaningful appreciation is a great way to recognize volunteers’ investment into your body or organization.
Compensation is more than money
A healthy compensation philosophy includes more than salaries and stipends. It includes benefits, flexibility, professional development, sabbaticals, and other forms of support. These elements tell your staff that you don’t just care about the work they do, but that you’re invested in their physical, emotional, and spiritual health. The effort and resources you invest here can reinforce your values and vision, supporting a healthy relationship with your community.
Nonprofits and churches that build a culture of generous compensation tend to attract and retain healthier, more energized teams. When people know they are valued, they are freed and fueled to do their best work.
Build a compensation culture that reflects your mission
Compensation isn’t just a financial issue—it’s a spiritual and relational one, too. When churches and nonprofits take compensation opportunities seriously, they create a culture where staff and volunteers feel seen, supported, and celebrated.
At Vanderbloemen, we’ve developed in-depth Compensation Reports designed specifically for churches and nonprofits. These reports can help your team make informed, equitable, and strategic decisions about pay and recognition, so you can serve your mission without sacrificing your people.
Take a look at Vanderbloemen’s comprehensive compensation reports in your field for reliable data you can use to inform your staff’s fair compensation, or partner with our staff for a compensation consultation specific to your staff, resources, and culture. Explore Vanderbloemen’s compensation resources today to start building a culture of fair, informed, and mission-driven compensation.
