“Decent work is the foundation of a good life and a healthy society,” CEO Colette Murphy said in a recent story on the Atkinson Foundation’s Good Fight Prize.
“Non-profits frequently benefit from a lack of labour awareness in their younger workers. With such a sharp focus on the output of supporting and uplifting the communities, it can be hard for non-profit workers to prioritize improving their own working conditions,” Emmanuel Akanbi wrote in a story on labour rights in the sector.
There are 2.7 million workers in the non-profit sector. That means that the sector employs more people than construction, manufacturing, or retail. We also know that the average annual salary for a non-profit worker is 13% lower than the average salary for all Canadian employees. For community non-profit workers, this gap jumps to 31%. (Read Imagine Canada’s People First: A Portrait of Canada’s Nonprofit Workforce report to learn more.)
In recognition of Labour Day next week, we’re sharing four stories that explore different issues and solutions to support decent work in the non-profit sector.
What happens to labour rights in a sector built on care?
While non-profit workers fulfill the needs of their communities, many are overworked and under-compensated by their employers.
Fighting the good fight: Philanthropy and policy advocacy
The Atkinson Foundation’s Good Fight Prize celebrates the creativity and commitment within the movement for decent work. Toula Drimonis profiles the 2025 winning campaign and the two finalists.
Overworked, overlooked, and underpaid: How women are addressing sexism in the philanthropic sector
Women working in the charitable and non-profit sector are making sacrifices and building strategies to secure leadership positions despite barriers – or leaving altogether.
Building collective care and collective power: Lessons learned from anti-violence workers
Organizations should look to innovative solutions and promising practices in the anti-violence sector to transform workplaces and address labour issues, researcher Krys Maki explains.
