Recruiting and Hiring for Nonprofits: Advice from Peter Gray Executive Search
In 2025, Amanda White Consulting hosted a new series called Nonprofit Leaders Advance. These events were created to provide space for nonprofit leaders to learn from experts in the field, as well as from one another. We’ve taken some great tips from these sessions, and our most recent event was no different!
In November, Peter Gray of Peter Gray Executive Search joined us to share his advice for nonprofit recruiting and hiring. Read on for Peter’s tips and audio clips from his presentation. No matter what type of role you’re looking to fill, these are some great things to consider.
This is just a small sample of the many takeaways Peter covered. Join us in person for future events to learn, connect, and get the most from these sessions!
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1. Take a big-picture view with a goal of being an employer of choice. Peter breaks this down into two areas of focus: substance and storytelling.
Substance:
Ask your employees what they want and give it to them. Whether you get their feedback through a formal survey or through conversation, consider what your team likes about your benefits and what they feel is missing, and do your best to fill that gap.
Challenge yourself to offer competitive compensation and benefits.
Storytelling:
Tell your story through social marketing and employee ambassadors.
2. Best practices for job postings:
Post the salary range and benefits
Share your timeline – Avoid posting an “apply by” date. Instead, share when you’d ideally like to fill the position. Sometimes the search takes longer than expected, and this leaves your options open.
State clearly who you're looking for. State in one sentence, “This is a great opportunity for someone who…” For example, This is a great opportunity for an experienced leader with strong knowledge of nonprofit management and fundraising, affordable housing, and rural poverty issues.
Have your interview/hiring process mapped out before you post. This helps to inform your timeline.
Stay responsive to all applicants
3. Where to post jobs:
Beware of paid job boards. Most of these are high-cost, low-value.
Utilize LinkedIn and Indeed to get the most for your money.
LinkedIn is the closest thing we have to a universal database, though Peter noted it has been shown to demonstrate bias.
4. It’s important to go beyond posting to recruiting, which may mean getting out from behind the screen.
Share on social media.
Consider a press release, which can elevate the opportunity.
Do individual outreach – a contracted professional can help with this, and so can AI.
Attend events in spaces that attract potential candidates and promote the opportunity among these groups.
More tips…
Thank you, Peter, for joining us and sharing your expertise! Check out Peter Gray Executive Search to learn more about his services.
Stay tuned for our 2026 Nonprofit Leaders Advance calendar coming soon! We hope these events continue to grow and help create connections for nonprofit leaders in our community.
