Is the Next Generation Ready to Lead?





A National Study Produced in Partnership by CompassPoint Nonprofit Services, The Annie E. Casey Foundation, the Meyer Foundation and Idealist.org seeks to answer the leadership question for upcoming generations.

Recent studies suggest that the charitable sector wi llbe increasingly drawn into an all-out “war for talent” with the government and business sectors. As the Baby Boomers retire from their leadership positions over the coming decades and the labor market grows ever tighter, how will the nonprofit sector attract the most committed and talented leaders? What would draw Generation Xers and Generation Yers to positions that typically offer long hours for short pay?

This research suggests indicators of strength in the nonprofit leadership pipeline:

  • One in three (32%) respondents aspires to be an executive director someday
  • A higher percentage of respondents who definitely aspire to become executive directors are people of color
  • Of respondents who do aspire to become executive directors, 40% reported that they are ready either now or will be within five years