Students will be encouraged to pursue a career in the non-profit sector under a drive by the Centre on Philanthropy this year.

The Centre called for more publicity on employment and the benefits of working for charities at its Annual Town Hall Meeting. Representatives from the non-profit sector gathered at BUEI to hear its plans for the forthcoming year and to receive the results of two research projects.

In the first study of its kind on Bermuda, The Giving Survey examined patterns of donating among residents and businesses.

A second study, The Third Sector Manpower Survey, also gave an insight into the current state of recruitment and staffing among non-profit organisations.

The Centre on Philanthropy was founded in 1991 to create more efficient voluntary action in Bermuda. It aims to increase the effectiveness of charities and foster partnerships between individuals and organisations.

In its Giving Survey, the Centre found that, on average, residents give $300 a year and businesses $7,000 towards non-profit organisations.

Residents were more likely to donate to charities focused on health care or education, but also looked to the arts, culture and humanities. In contrast, businesses tended to focus on services with some public or societal benefit, such as school trips and youth activities.

Residents gave most money to P.A.L.S. (29 percent of donors), followed by the SPCA (27 percent) and Salvation Army (21 percent).

In deciding which cause to give money to, donors looked for: accountability; the organisation being effective in its mission; and adequate tracking of distributed funds.

However, the survey also found that: “Currently, donors that consider these factors to be of critical importance are not completely satisfied with on-Island charities’ performance with these factors. By improving or better communicating their purpose, accountability and transparency, on-Island charities will likely realise increased support.”

The survey concluded that residents were most likely to give through cash, tag days and charity raffles. Businesses were more likely to give cash or in-kind donations, such as goods or services, rather than offer volunteer hours or act as sponsors.

In The Third Sector Manpower Survey, the Centre found that there was a growing need for skilled professionals and in response, it is to create more awareness of the non-profit sector as a career choice among young people.

Danielle Riviere, programme manager, said: “Through feedback from stakeholders we recognise that there is growing concern around succession planning, finding skilled employees, and the affect higher administrative costs will have on their organisations’ success when approaching donors.

“As non-profits take on greater financial responsibility, increase visibility in the community, and improve planning and management performance there is an augmented need for skilled workers in the field.

“Non-profits have become essential to the social fabric of our community. Their role in creating a sustainable community plan for supporting public needs has become vital to the well-being of this country. Therefore there is a greater need to professionalise the sector to ensure its longevity and increased social impact.

“The Manpower Survey provides insight on questions surrounding compensation and benefits in the Third Sector.”

She said: “Think of the opportunities a Third Sector built around fair compensation and advancement would represent to the young people in Bermuda, who would love to work in arts or sports administration or in the helping professions, but who traditionally have not been able to give this type of career choice serious consideration because they have always been told that they could not live on the salaries being offered.

“As hundreds of universities have begun to offer courses that specialise in the non-profit sector, think of the wealth of knowledge young people who study and pursue a career in non-profit management could offer. Think of the skill sets the non-profit sector could garner if the positions available were considered as viable career choices for those professionals looking to take their career in another direction.

“What a difference this would make to the Third Sector. What difference this would make to the well-being of the Island.

“The Centre is already looking at how to use the report to create positive change for the sector. This Fall it will launch a programme aired at encouraging students to consider the non-profit sector as a career choice. It will also offer working individuals the opportunity to better understand what opportunities the Third Sector can offer them.

“The Third Sector Careers Initiative will promote the non-profit sector as a viable career choice.”

To this end, a pamphlet detailing benefits and career development advice will be circulated, while the Centre will set up information stands at career and college fairs. A ‘Moving to Giving’ workshop will also allow people to learn about what it is like to make the transition to the non-profit sector, and career opportunities will be published in the Centre’s e-Bulletins and website.

“In order to create a Third Sector that is productive, accountable and continuing to evolve, we must attract and retain skilled, committed and capable individuals who can help to nurture the philanthropic sector in Bermuda,” said Ms Riviere.

Pamela Barit Nolan, executive director of the Centre on Philanthropy, said it would set up workshops on volunteer recruitment and management over the course of the year. She said the Centre would also make “a special effort to reach out to our young people to get them to start thinking about giving back”.

For more information: www.centreonphilanthropy.org