Women comprise nearly 80% of Canada’s nonprofit workforce, yet their tireless contributions are consistently dismissed, undervalued, and unsupported. This isn’t a mere oversight—it is a crisis that demands urgent attention.
Each day, women in nonprofits grapple with crushing pressure, unstable funding, job insecurity, and a relentless gender pay gap that prevents them from thriving, despite the invaluable roles they play in supporting our communities. This crisis is even more profound for trans women, genderfluid, nonbinary, and Two-Spirit individuals, who face additional barriers, discrimination, and systemic inequities within the sector.
In the wake of International Women’s Day, we stand at a critical juncture. The voices of these women are finally beginning to be heard—but symbolic gestures and empty platitudes will no longer suffice. It is time for real, lasting change—change that extends beyond a single day of recognition. The status quo is failing them, and it is time to act.
Canadians rely on nonprofits more than ever, yet the women sustaining the sector are overworked and undervalued, says Hailey Rodgers, ED @Women’s Nonprofit Network
The nonprofit sector is the backbone of Canada’s social infrastructure—providing critical services that one in five Canadians depend on for their basic needs. Yet the very individuals driving these organizations, especially women, are often overworked and undervalued. Women in nonprofits work tirelessly, juggling multiple roles, navigating complex funding challenges, and serving their communities—all while facing job insecurity, pay gaps, and burnout. Here’s the grim truth: The stakes are high—Canadians rely on nonprofits more than ever, yet the women sustaining the sector are overworked and undervalued.
The statistics are shocking. The 2024 Canadian Nonprofit Sector Salary & Benefits Report reveals that women in leadership positions within nonprofits earn nearly 18% less than their male counterparts. Job satisfaction is also a major concern: a survey by Environics Institute found that 26% of nonprofit employees are dissatisfied with their jobs—significantly higher than the 19% in the private sector. Perhaps most disturbing of all, burnout is becoming a widespread epidemic, with nonprofit leaders reporting more concern about their own burnout than ever before.
What makes this even more heartbreaking is the gendered expectations women in nonprofits face. As part of the Women’s Nonprofit Network Confessions of Women in Nonprofits campaign, one anonymous woman shared a powerful reflection on her experience: “The charitable sector, like so many other institutions, was built upon patriarchal structures—systems that were never designed to foster the kind of deep, compassionate, and transformative work that true healing requires. As a woman, I often found myself battling between my nurturing, intuitive leadership style and the expectations of a system that values efficiency over empathy, and quick fixes over long-term solutions.” Her words resonate deeply, highlighting the emotional and psychological toll of working in a system that prioritizes results over the healing and transformation that true change demands.
This crisis is not merely about unequal pay or job dissatisfaction. It’s about systemic inequities that have long been entrenched in the nonprofit sector. These systems were never designed to elevate or support women, and it shows in every aspect of the work. The nonprofit world continues to operate within frameworks that value efficiency, speed, and resource mobilization—often at the expense of the empathetic, long-term work that is the core of nonprofit missions.
Moreover, the gender wage gap persists, stubbornly wide. In a sector overwhelmingly dominated by women, it is a bitter irony that women are still not paid equitably for their labour. As one anonymous nonprofit worker pointed out, “One unique challenge I have found over the years is the gender wage gap and the reality that many nonprofit organizations are female-dominated… There is a stark imbalance between the importance of the work we do and the reality that, despite this importance, many are not paid enough to actually survive or thrive in their lives.” Women are expected to lead, to inspire, and to drive lasting impact, yet they are often paid less and treated with less respect than their male counterparts.
What we are witnessing is a workforce that is exhausted, undervalued, and at a breaking point. The women who are the lifeblood of the nonprofit sector are crucial to the well-being of our communities. They deserve to be seen, supported, fairly compensated, and provided with the resources they need to continue their transformative work.
As Carolynn Dubé, Board Chair of the Women’s Nonprofit Network, so powerfully states, “The future of the nonprofit sector rests on the shoulders of the women leading it. Ensuring they have the necessary recognition, support, and resources is crucial to allow them to thrive in their work.”
But the question is: How much longer can this sector continue to operate at this pace, with its workers burnt out and underpaid? The need for systemic change is undeniable and urgent.
The nonprofit sector cannot afford to keep undervaluing the women who sustain it. It is time for leaders, organizations, and policymakers to invest in real, meaningful change—starting with equitable pay, job security, and the kind of support women in nonprofits need to not just survive, but to thrive. If we fail to act, we risk losing the very people who make our communities stronger and more resilient.
Disclaimer: All quotes were taken from the Women’s Nonprofit Network Confessions of Women in Nonprofits Campaign and are shared with the participants’ consent.
About Women’s Nonprofit Network
Launched in 2024, the Women’s Nonprofit Network (WNN) is a Canadian, community-based not-for-profit organization dedicated to empowering women in the nonprofit sector by fostering leadership, connection, and well-being. Rooted in inclusivity and equity, WNN creates transformative spaces where women can thrive, lead purposefully, and drive lasting change. For more information: visit womensnonprofitnetwork.com
Hailey Rodgers is an entrepreneur and marketer driving impact in startups and nonprofits, with a fierce focus on women’s health and empowerment. As the Founder & Executive Director of the Women’s Nonprofit Network, she is committed to creating opportunities that empower women and fuel their success in every aspect of their lives.