MILWAUKEE — The newest edition of the Nonprofit Total Rewards Survey out of Dane County shows Wisconsin nonprofits are facing expanding challenges, in part, thanks to the economy, inflation and ongoing issues tied to worker retention.

“A lot of non-for-profit organizations are experiencing the many challenges that other organizations are facing coming out of the pandemic and with our tightened labor market,” said Rebekah Temple, vice president of human resources consulting with The QTI Group. “Wages have had to increase from what we used to see at around $15 per hour, now we’re seeing those have increased to around $17.70 per hour or $18 per hour just for entry-level jobs.”

An annual effort by QTI and the United Way of Dane County, this year’s analysis surveyed more than 60 nonprofit groups in and around Dane County.

Temple said that among the key findings in the full report were that 89% of groups had to increase wages over the past 18 months to try and keep employees from leaving, and 61% anticipate having to do so again over the next 18 months.

“Not-for-profits around the country and in Wisconsin are really an extension of our community and of government organizations providing support to those most in need,” Temple said. “It’s important for us in thinking about the holiday season to understand that we can give and make a difference in not-for-profits so they can really help those in the greatest need.”

Watch the full interview above.