I read an article recently discussing how the Meijer grocery empire had record profits, but their employees are getting busted for taking food that was going to be thrown away because they’re starving and struggling to make ends meet.
They make billions! Seriously, what are they doing with all of that money other than manipulating elections in Southwest Michigan?
Number one: I’m no longer giving my business to Meijer (Vote with your dollars! Look for a post coming on that soon).
Number two: I never shy away from saying the quiet part out loud. And being in the nonprofit space for a few years now, it’s time to speak up.
What a lot of people assume is that this is a for-profit sector problem; but no. Being underpaid is not exclusive to that sector at all. I’ve seen it over multiple organizations, happening to multiple people.
For too long, nonprofit work has carried an unspoken assumption: if you choose to serve, you also choose to sacrifice. Sacrifice your financial security. Sacrifice your health benefits. Sacrifice your chance at building long-term stability for yourself and your family.
The logic goes something like this: “You’re not in it for the money; you’re in it for the mission.”
But here’s the truth: service is not the same as sacrifice. And nonprofits, if they truly believe in dignity and equity, should be the first employers to reject this false choice.
Because as much as I wish it did, service and heart don’t pay the bills.
The Problem With “Sacrifice Culture”
The nonprofit sector has normalized the idea that employees should accept low wages because the work is “noble.”
This leads to:
- Burnout and turnover: Passion doesn’t pay rent. Talented staff leave when they can’t survive.
- Exclusion: Only those with family wealth or a partner’s income can afford to stay in the sector long-term, locking out people who are directly impacted by the issues nonprofits claim to serve.
- Hypocrisy: Nonprofits advocating for justice, equity, or poverty alleviation can’t credibly do so while underpaying their own staff.
It’s especially concerning when many people specifically feel limited to or choose the nonprofit sector because they believe there’s no where else for them to go, such as individuals with criminal records, social work-centric degrees, and more.
At that point, it’s edging toward predatory.
Why Living Wages Matter
A living wage isn’t a luxury; it’s a baseline. When nonprofits provide fair pay, they:
- Model their values: If the mission is to build stronger communities, the workplace must reflect that.
- Stabilize their workforce: Paying a living wage reduces turnover and builds organizational memory.
- Increase impact: Staff who aren’t in constant financial stress can innovate, problem-solve, and truly focus on the mission.
Leading By Example
Nonprofits set the tone for what “service” looks like in society. If they perpetuate the myth that mission-driven work must equal personal poverty, then they reinforce the very inequities they claim to dismantle.
Imagine if every nonprofit board committed to a simple baseline: no full-time staff member will earn less than a living wage for their region. The ripple effect would be profound. Funders would have to step up. For-profit partners would face pressure to match that commitment.
And most importantly, nonprofit workers (the very people driving change) would be treated with the respect they deserve. You’re never going to get the best out of someone when they’re struggling to survive. Period.
And if the C-Suite is living well and everyone else is struggling to pay bills and afford health care, something is very wrong.
Wrapping It Up
Service should inspire us. Sacrifice should not be the price of admission.
No one can properly focus on doing a job well when they’re constantly in fight or flight mode wondering how they’re going to pay the bills.
And if Nonprofits can’t afford equitable pay? Maybe they need to adjust their scope or talk to their funders on why they can’t.
Be brave; muster that courage, stand up for your workforce.
Nonprofits must prove that justice and equity don’t end at the communities they serve; they start at home, with the people doing the work.
A living wage is not just a policy decision. It’s a moral one.
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