Do I Need a Full Time Employee?

I've dealt with a lot of nonprofits over the years and each one of them is different. However, there's always one glaring difference between nonprofits. That's the fact that half hire a full time Executive Director and the other half don't. What's the direct results of this?

1. Nonprofits with a full time Executive Director typically do really well at fundraising and volunteer management.
2. Full-Time Executive Directors become the voice and face of the organization, allowing donors and consumers to know who's in-charge. 
3. Full-Time Exec's can dedicate 100% of their time to the cause without other jobs interfering.   
4. Services are typically stronger and grow quickly under the direction of a full time Executive.

Now, this isn't to say volunteer based nonprofits are bad. In fact they have many benefits as well. Sometimes having a purely volunteer based organization can lead to many things, including these:

1. Volunteer based nonprofits can get more done while spending less. 
2. Organizations can use all of their funds to focus on the cause. 
3. Keeps a nonprofit from going through overturn of paid employees. Nothing is worse than an Executive leaving after 4 years with a group and you then have to scramble to find someone just as good as them. 

If you take anything from this many it's this, Hire an Executive Director. Secondly, try to hire at least one or two more full-time professionals. The cost of the employees will be made up in the amount of funds they can raise. 

Your organization needs to look something like this:

• Full Time Executive Director
• Full Time Volunteer/Community Outreach Manager
• Full Time Support Staff (Direct Service position)
• Volunteers.

OR

• Executive Director
• Part Time Support Staff
• Volunteers...Volunteers....Volunteers!

By hiring full-time professionals, you'll create an atmosphere of growth. The organizations that do the best do this because they cannot provide the same service or quality with only volunteers. There's not a lot of drive to give 100% of your time when the only reward is providing a service. Going all volunteer is grounds for burnout, you'll simple run yourself into the ground. 

If you feel you cannot hire a full-time position and want to go purely volunteer understand that you may never get out of that cycle. Some very successful organizations are 90% volunteer and 10% part time staff. They still haven't gotten out of that loop because they feel they don't have the money. 

Of course they have the money! It may not seem like it, but the money is there and the money you'll spend is justified. A decent salary for a small organizational Executive Director is $20,000. Obviously this isn't someone who is going to be extremely experienced, but it will be a young professional with a lot of passion and drive who will bring fresh ideas in. 

If you fear your donors will be upset that you've spent money on staffing, feel free to use these explanations: 

• The employee will make up the money through their work. 
• This puts a person in position to provide a better service. 
• The organization will grow with the individuals vision. 
• More donors and grant givers will feel the organization is in a better state with a full time leader. 
• The product and service we provide will not differ it will only get better. 

Hiring full time staff is worth it, so take a look at your financials and use this opportunity to grow. Because if you don't act now, you might find yourself stuck in a cycle of providing a service with all of your money or growing your service to greater heights. 

Colby A. Martin is a nonprofit consultant who specializes in fundraising, volunteer management, and social media. He also builds nonprofit and personal websites. If you're interested in his services contact him @ cmartin2829@ymail.com.