A new report called 'Compensation and Beyond' looked at how much community organizers in New York City get paid and found that many don't earn enough to stay in their jobs long-term. Community organizers are people who help neighborhoods come together to solve problems and fight for change. The study shows that low pay makes it hard for these important leaders to keep doing their work.
When organizers can't afford to stay in their jobs, communities lose experienced leaders who know how to create lasting change. The report gives specific steps that foundations and other funders can take to help organizers earn better wages and benefits. Two foundation leaders, including one from the New York Foundation, wrote about why this matters and how funders need to do better at supporting the people who organize communities.
The goal is to help create movements that can last longer and win more fights for justice by keeping skilled organizers in the work.