A View from the Center:
The Female Factor in the Nonprofit Sector
by Michelle Sedaca, Program Associate
South Africa Partners
 A staff member of a NonProfit Center tenant organization, Michelle writes this monthly column on life at the center, and the unique culture of a multi-tenant center created specifically for nonprofits. Photo credit:Michelle (left) meeting with Jackie Cefola, program coordinator at the NonProfit Center
Perhaps walking down the hall, preparing lunch in the kitchen or even a quick glance across the cubes within your own office, you have noticed the disproportionate number of women to men at the NonProfit Center (NPC). In fact, according to R. Patrick Halpern’s article “Workforce Issues in the Nonprofit Sector, Generational Leadership Change and Diversity” most surveys find that the sector is largely comprised of women.
Additionally, Halpern reveals that approximately 60 percent of executive directors of nonprofit organizations are women. The NPC proves no exception. The center boasts eight female directors or board presidents out of the 13 organizations that have an executive director or board president.
However, Halpern’ report adds that this statistic is misleading because the number of female executive directors is higher mainly in smaller organizations. According to the study, men dominate leadership positions in larger nonprofits.
Celebrating Women
Observing the large number of women who both work in and lead organizations within the NPC is particularly important as we look beyond the March 2007 celebration of Women’s History Month. Recognizing women’s vast contributions to society offers us an opportunity to examine our diverse experiences, with a specific focus on the nonprofit sector.
Catherine Gill, site director of the Nonprofit Finance Fund, and Christine Ellersick, regional manager of Roots and Shoots, both reflect on the meaning of being a female in the nonprofit sector.
Catherine and Christine were attracted to nonprofits due to their commitment to improving the community. “It was one of those things that you know about yourself; mission is important to me,” Catherine affirms. “The sector embraces women. It is empowering and fun to be both in leadership and finance.”
Christine joined the nonprofit sector first as a volunteer at United Way. Her career path eventually led her to her current position at Roots and Shoots.
Benefits and Challenges of the Sector
Both Catherine and Christine agree that working at nonprofits possess benefits for women. The flexibility provided within the nonprofit sector is highly praised by both women, who have children.
For example, Christine enjoyed a high level of flexibility in her position as executive director of an adult literacy program. She was able to bring her daughter to events which were sometimes in the evening. “When you work for a nonprofit, there’s an understanding of the demands of parenthood and family,” Christine explains.
Catherine attributes having flexibility within her various positions to having female supervisors and colleagues who are also mothers.
Despite the flexible work environment, nonprofits carry challenges due to their limited resources. Catherine acknowledges that being a working mother is difficult. "As a mother, it is a huge challenge. It is incredibly difficult to be a working mother in America. I am shocked how little support we provide for working women."
She cites the lack of compensation for maternity leave as one major problem. Although Catherine believes that nonprofits have a responsibility to more fully support working mothers, she emphasizes the need for change across both the for-profit and nonprofit sectors.
Another area affected by tight resources is health insurance. In one job, Christine didn’t have benefits.
Next Steps for Women Nonprofit Leaders
Clearly, women (and men) have an opportunity to lobby for and implement more family-friendly policies. While commitment to mission continues to guide work in the sector, policies that value both working mothers and women without children must be a priority now and beyond Women’s History Month.
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