The Nonprofit Association of Oregon (NAO) and Coalition of Communities of Color (CCC) examined how human services nonprofits (e.g., social services, housing and homelessness, health and mental health, and preK child and youth services) in Oregon experience wage inequities and disparities in government contracting and grants. CCC conducted focus groups and interviews with social service nonprofit executive directors, senior leaders, and direct service workers across Oregon to provide in-depth contextual information about hiring and retention, compensation, competing with government wages, and unrecognized and uncompensated labor. This research will support NAO and CCC in guiding governments to make internal changes and for nonprofit-led advocacy efforts to offset the nonprofit wage disparity in Oregon.
Summary Sheet
The two-page summary sheet clearly outlines key themes, statements, and quotes from nonprofits, compiled into an accessible document based on our research and interviews. Additionally, this summary emphasizes NAO’s suggestions for improving government contracts and grants, advocacy initiatives, and for broadening current efforts.
Full Report
This full report presents research findings in three sections: The first discusses challenges nonprofits face with government contracts and compensation, outlining strategies for cash flow management, challenging unfair contracts, refusing to comply, and worker retention. The second examines factors contributing to wage disparity, including application processes, restrictive fund distributions, contracting uncertainties, reimbursement delays, and competition with government wages. The third highlights unrecognized labor, causing burnout and turnover, focusing on nonprofit workers in culturally specific settings who juggle multiple roles. We also emphasize the ongoing labor of relationship building and support by bilingual and bicultural staff, peer-guided capacity building, and spiritual care, which contribute to chronic stress and vicarious trauma.