45. Investing in the nonprofit workforce with Rusty Stahl

Embodying change: Transforming power, culture and well-being in aid organisations

Why is burnout so prevalent in the nonprofit sector? How can funders better support the people who deliver?

In today’s episode of Embodying Change, host Melissa Pitotti welcomes Rusty Stahl, founder of Fund the People. Rusty shares his journey into philanthropy, the systemic issues leading to chronic underinvestment in nonprofit staff, and the innovative solutions Fund the People advocates for. You’ll learn about the harmful myths surrounding nonprofit overhead, the importance of treating nonprofit staff as essential assets, and practical steps to foster a healthier, more sustainable nonprofit sector.

If you're passionate about creating a supportive and effective nonprofit environment, this episode is a must-listen.

Today’s Guest

Rusty Stahl is the founder of Fund the People, an organization dedicated to maximizing investment in the nonprofit workforce. With a background in social justice and philanthropy, Rusty has been a leading voice in advocating for better support and compensation for nonprofit staff.

Website: fundthepeople.org
Social Media: LinkedIn, Twitter

You’ll Learn

• The historical and systemic issues leading to underinvestment in nonprofit staff
• Why burnout is a symptom of deeper organizational problems
• The concept of "talent investing" and how it can transform the nonprofit sector
• Practical steps funders and nonprofits can take to better support their workforce
• The importance of aligning funding practices with organizational needs and values

Resources Mentioned

• Fund the People Website: fundthepeople.org
• Fund the People – A Podcast with Rusty Stahl: subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or visit the show webpage to stream episodes, get transcripts, speaker bios, and links to resources
• State of Nonprofits 2024: view the report by the Center for Effective Philanthropy
• How Foundations are Supporting Grantee Staff Well-Being: view the research snapshot by Center for Effective Philanthropy
• Blog Post (in response to Center for Effective Philanthropy research): To Ensure Nonprofit Wellbeing, Invest in Wages, Workload, and Working Conditions
• The Guru on Burnout Podcast Episode: Interview with Dr. Christina Maslach HERE
  
  

Quotes

• “Burnout is the visible symptom of an invisible problem: the chronic deficit of investment in our workforce.” – Rusty Stahl
• “Nonprofits are not social change machines; they are composed of people, and funding must reflect that.” – Rusty Stahl

Call to Action

• Subscribe to the Embodying Change podcast for more insightful conversations.
• Visit fundthepeople.org to explore resources and learn how to support nonprofit staff effectively.