Toxic nonprofit culture can creep in without us realizing it. Between demanding workloads and mission-driven urgency, it’s easy to lose sight of whether your organization fosters a healthy workplace. Sometimes, an outside perspective is needed to recognize red flags. These questions will help you evaluate whether your nonprofit is truly supportive—or if toxicity has taken root.
Why You May Need an Outside Perspective
It’s not always easy to assess workplace toxicity from the inside. Bias, familiarity, or simply being too busy can make it hard to see problems clearly. That’s why seeking external assessments—from staff surveys, consultants, or anonymous feedback platforms—can help uncover critical issues that impact morale, retention, and effectiveness.
Key Questions to Evaluate Your Nonprofit’s Workplace Culture
- Transparency and Fairness:
- Is there open communication regarding decision-making on important matters?
- Are policies and procedures consistently applied, avoiding inconsistency?
- Employee Experience and Retention:
- Are staff members frequently leaving the organization?
- Have you checked the organization’s Glassdoor ratings for employee feedback?
- Autonomy and Trust:
- Is there a lack of trust and autonomy within the organization?
- Do employees face excessive control and micromanagement?
- Collaboration and Support:
- Is there an overly competitive atmosphere? Do team members engage in blame games or internal conflicts?
- Professional Development and Inclusion:
- Does the organization invest in employee growth?
- Is the organization open about development opportunities?
- Is there a commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, and are there barriers that exclude certain groups?
- Work-Life Balance and Boundaries:
- Is there the expectation that your personal life always comes second
- Are there clear work-life boundaries?
- Does your supervisor respect those?
- When/If work intrudes on personal time, does your employer give you ample notice, do you get to “take back time”Feedback, Recognition, and Support:
- Is there a lack of constructive feedback and recognition for employee contributions?
- Are achievements and milestones acknowledged and celebrated?
- Leadership and Accountability:
- Is the employer leadership manipulative or abusive?
- Do organizational leaders make decisions without input or consideration from the team?
- Communication and Collaboration:
- Are there effective channels and processes for communication within the organization?
- Does your organization follow them ?
- When/if someone goes outside of those normal lines of communications, how is that situation handled?
- Are there barriers and silos hindering cross-departmental collaboration?
- Are there effective channels and processes for communication within the organization?
- Welcoming and Inclusive Environment:
- Does the organization create a welcoming and inclusive space for new team members?
- Are necessary support, resources, and guidance provided for effective integration?
- Adaptability and Continuous Improvement:
- Is there a culture of continuous improvement and willingness to change ineffective processes?
- Are team members open to feedback and focused on finding more efficient ways of working?
- Time Management and Productivity:
- Is there a culture that values and respects everyone’s time?
- Are meetings purposeful, productive, and balanced with actual work demands?
- Effective Management:
- Do managers demonstrate qualities of supportiveness, good communication, and the ability to guide and develop team members?
Final Thoughts: Recognizing & Addressing Toxic Nonprofit Culture
It’s crucial to remember that we may not always be the best evaluators of our own organization’s health. Internal bias and familiarity can cloud our judgment. That’s why seeking external assessments—such as employee feedback, anonymous surveys, or nonprofit workplace consultants—can be game-changing in identifying and addressing toxic nonprofit culture.
By taking proactive steps and leveraging external expertise, you can create a healthy, values-driven workplace that supports both your team’s well-being and your organization’s mission.
🚀 Looking to build a healthier nonprofit workplace? Let’s talk about strategies to improve transparency, leadership, and retention. Schedule a time to connect.
