Helping charities attract and support the talent they need to deliver their mission

Employee benefits for charities: Practical, cost-effective and people-focused

Charities face a unique set of challenges when it comes to attracting and retaining talent. Many of these are linked to tight budgets, shifting workforce expectations, and growing demands for transparency and purpose.

At the same time, the people within your organisation are central to the impact you deliver. That’s why having an employee benefits strategy that is affordable, sustainable and relevant is more important than ever.

People challenges many charities are facing

Whether you are a small local organisation or a national charity, attracting and keeping the right people is not always easy. Common challenges include:

• Limited salary budgets: Competing with the private sector is difficult, especially for roles in digital, fundraising, finance and HR
• Perception of limited progression: Some professionals feel there are fewer opportunities to develop their careers in the sector
• Workload and burnout: Small teams often carry a wide range of responsibilities, which can affect morale and wellbeing
• Competition from purpose-led businesses: Private companies are increasingly offering both meaningful work and higher pay
• Changing expectations around flexibility: Many people now expect hybrid or remote working as standard, which is not always possible for every charity

Budget pressures are influencing people and benefits decisions

• Rising operational costs: Inflation and energy prices are putting further strain on budgets
• Restricted funding models: Grant funding often limits how money can be spent, especially on long-term workforce support
• Uncertainty in income and donor fatigue: Variability in donations and funding makes it harder to plan ahead
• Pressure to innovate while maintaining services: Charities are being asked to modernise systems while continuing to deliver core support

How charities are adapting

Many charities are reviewing how they support and retain staff. Some of the steps being taken include:

• Improving employer brand and culture by highlighting flexibility, inclusion and meaningful work
• Reframing reward to show value beyond salary, including wellbeing support, leave and pensions
• Developing internal talent through leadership programmes and upskilling
• Reviewing flexible working policies to attract a broader range of candidates
• Working with other organisations to share expertise and fill specialist gaps

Supporting charities with practical, people-focused solutions

We work with several charity clients and community-based organisations, helping them build employee benefits that reflect their values, budgets, and workforce needs.

We know that benefits need to be:

• Cost-effective and sustainable
• Flexible across different roles and life stages
• Easy to implement and communicate
• Aligned with your organisation’s culture and purpose
• Suitable for long-term use and ethically sound

Our role is to help you develop a benefits approach that delivers real value to your people and supports your work.