Compensation & Benefits

2024 SC Nonprofit Compensation & Benefits Study Plan

    Together SC wants our nonprofit members to have access to much-needed, up-to-date data on compensation and benefits.

    Toward that end, we are partnering with Employers Network (EN) of Spartanburg and committing to research and report the data nonprofits need long-term.

    EN was formed in 1959 to provide central, easily accessed resources for its members, originally upstate corporations. They are funded primarily through membership dues and fees for services, including seminars, classes, custom training, research, publications, and consulting. EN now serves employers of all types and sizes in South Carolina. They are the perfect partner with their long-standing expertise in compensation and benefits research. 

    Additionally, we are contracting with the College of Charleston Joseph P. Riley, Jr. Center for Livable Communities to help analyze the survey findings and prepare needed reports. 

    • Benefits Survey and Report - Winter 2023 -2024
      • The benefits survey will be open from November to January 2024. 
      • Findings will be presented at the 2024 Summit in February.  
    • 2024 Compensation Survey and Report - Spring - Fall 2024

    In the meantime,  contact Mary Dell Hayes with questions. Her email is marydell@togethersc.org.

    2022 SC Nonprofit Compensation & Benefits Study

    Survey responses from nearly 500 nonprofits reveal pay and benefit disparities.

    Download Executive Summary

    Full Report Available for Purchase!

    Download Report (Purchase Required)

    South Carolina’s nonprofit and philanthropic organizations need to know what constitutes competitive wages and benefits if they are to attract and retain the "best and the brightest."

    That's why Together SC engaged Kahle Strategic Insights to conduct the first statewide nonprofit compensation study in a decade. 

    Nearly 500 charitable nonprofits that employ one or more professional staff replied to the 70 question survey last March. Their responses reveal pay and benefit disparities indicating a critical need for funding to attract, invest in and retain quality staff.

    This 80+ page Study is filled with tables, graphs and data on 41 job titles. It provides a sector-wide analysis of what it will take to ensure our strategic objective of having a pipeline full of diverse and talented professionals to lead our organizations going forward.

    Bob Kahle presented the findings on October 12. Recordings of the Oct. 12th calls are free for all survey participants and those who purchased the report before hand.  

    Together SC has retained the continuing services of StopGap Consulting and Mary Dell Hayes to assist members in processing the findings and using the data. Read what's planned.

    Post and Courier October 30, 2022 article - SC nonprofits need to address pay and benefits to attract and retain much needed talent

       

    BACKGROUND INFORMATION

    What will be the cost of the report for nonprofits?  
    • Together SC members who fully completed the survey may receive the PDF of the full report for FREE.
    • Nonprofits who are not members of Together SC and who fully complete the survey may purchase the report for $75. (We encourage those who are not yet members to consider joining to save $75 and receive so many other member benefits.)
    • Together SC members who did not participate in the survey may purchase the report PDF for $75.  Those who pre-purchase the Report will also be able to join the October Virtual Presentation. 
    • Nonmembers who did not participate in the survey may purchase the report PDF for $350.
    Who participated in the survey?
    • SC nonprofit and philanthropic organizations that have one or more paid staff members and budgets of up to $75,000,000 were asked to complete the survey. (Volunteer-run nonprofits do not need to complete the survey as it focuses only on benefits for employees.)
    • Survey participation was NOT limited to Together SC members. Any 501(c)3 registered in South Carolina was encouraged to participate.
    • To provide sufficient data, we needed complete responses from  200 – 400 nonprofit and philanthropic organizations. We received over 400.
    • Kahle Strategic Insights sent each organization we have identified an email with a unique survey link. The survey was to be completed by the recipient or forwarded to the appropriate person in the organization for completion. 
    • The survey closed March 25th.
    Who are the experts?
    • Together SC hired Kahle Strategic Insights (Dr. Bob Kahle led the SC Nonprofit Sector Covid Impact Survey and has conducted the Nonproft Summit evaluations for the last several years) to conduct and analyze survey data, and produce a comprehensive report.
    • Gloria Roderick of G and G Analytics specializes in analyzing public sector data with significant research in nonprofit compensation and employee review processes. Gloria served as the lead analyst for this project.
    • An advisory committee of human resources and operations experts guided the survey design and reviewing the report.
    • Philanthropic partners and subsector Allies were engaged to help maximize survey participation and ensure quality data is available for the entire nonprofit sector.
    • Got Questions? Please contact Mary Dell Hayes who is serving as the Project Manager for Together SC.
    How did Together SC finance this work?
    • Together SC knows collaborating makes everything more successful. This survey is no exception. We are thankful for the following Philanthropic Partners, sponsors and regional partners who have signed on to help.  They include:
      • Arras Foundation
      • Able SC
      • SC Arts Alliance
      • Central Carolina Community Foundation and United Way of the Midlands
      • Coastal Community Foundation
      • Community Foundation of the Lowcountry
      • Eastern Carolina Community Foundation
      • Find Great People
      • First Sun EAP
      • Greenville Partnership for Philanthropy and Jolley Foundation
      • SC First Steps
      • Self Family Foundation and Greenwood Community Foundation
      • Sisters of Charity Foundation of SC
      • Spartanburg County Foundation, Spartanburg Regional Foundation, Mary Black Foundation, United Way of the Piedmont and Chapman Cultural Center
      • WREN
    What is included in the final report?
    • The completed research report includes:
      • Data on rate of pay for all full-time positions. Hourly pay rates were converted to full-time equivalents.
      • Current data on health, dental, retirement, disability and life insurance, paid time off including vacation, sick leave, and holidays, family leave, and other nontraditional benefits
      • Demographic information to include gender, race, age, disability status, and military service
    • Analysis is available at different levels depending on how much data was available for a particular position.
    How will the survey findings be used?
    • A series of webinars and events helping folks to understand the implications of the data will be held throughout 2022.
    • Technical assistance will be available to help nonprofits and funders understand the data and its implications for their work and operations.
    • Data will be used to support advocacy around equity and other issues identified as impacting the nonprofit sector.
    Why do we need a comprehensive compensation and benefits study?
    • This data will help nonprofit and philanthropic organizations meet changing workforce expectations; address inflation related pressure on salary and benefits; and identify the scope of Covid-19 related workplace changes
    • Nonprofits need to know if total compensation is competitive and if their compensation practices are equitable.
    • They need support identifying creative HR solutions, while maintaining fiscal responsibility.
    • This data will provide a starting point for grantmakers to support nonprofits in offering equitable compensation and help identify steps to improve equity in hiring and compensation practices.
    • It will enable nonprofits to attract the talent necessary to address pressing community issues