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Why A Young Professionals Network?
 In almost every profession, there are associations dedicated to nurturing future leaders. Early on, many professions recognized the need to nurture emerging leaders and have formed organizations such as the ABA Young Lawyers Division, Emerging Practitioners in Philanthropy (EPIP), Young MBA, AICPA Young CPA Network as well as a host of other young professional associations and networks. In each case, the respective associations not only provide access to professional development and networking opportunities, they also build a pipeline of leaders. Similarly, YNPN serves as the place for networking, professional development and support for young professionals to emerge as leaders within the nonprofit sector.
About YNPN
YNPN is a national 501(c)3 grassroots nonprofit organization that engages and supports future nonprofit leaders through professional development, networking, and social opportunities. Beginning in 1997 as a small gathering of peers in San Francisco, YNPN has since grown from word-of-mouth and local volunteer leadership teams, to a nearly 15,000-member network composed of five affiliate chapters, including San Francisco, New York City, Washington DC, Chicago, Denver, and dozens of emerging chapters in other cities across the country. Visit the National YNPN website for more information on local affiliates and the national movement.
The Leadership Gap
A 2004 study conducted by the Annie E. Casey Foundation revealed that 72.5% of all nonprofit leaders were in their 40s and 50s, with 55% over the age of 50. 65% of the organizations surveyed said they are likely to go through a leadership transition by 2009 and 57% of organizations have experienced a transition within the last 10 years. These findings confirm similar studies conducted over the last few years illustrating the looming leadership deficit the nonprofit sector will face as soon as 2007. It is reported that by 2007 between 61% and 78% of executive directors will retire or leave their organizations. This impending leadership deficit could be the greatest challenge nonprofits face over the next ten years.
In response to this growing concern, National YNPN published the findings of a survey of young nonprofit professionals across the country, with these highlighted findings:
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Is there is evidence of a leadership gap? Only 55% of YNPN members are planning to work in the sector for their next position. There is no clear preferred alternate among the consulting, philanthropy, government, and for-profit sectors.
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Why are we losing talent? Participants identified dissatisfaction with salary (50%) and burnout (55%) as strong drivers of staff leaving the sector. Lack of career path (25%), job related stress (30%), better job offers (30%), lack of professional development (9%), and returning to school (26%) were other factors in leaving the sector.
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What is important to becoming an executive director? Participants report that on the job experience (72%) as well as learning from coaches/mentors and peers (41%) are the most critical factors to preparing for the ED role. Peer learning (38%), a graduate degree (28%), workshops/conferences (11%), YNPN trainings (2%), and nonprofit certificates (3%) were also mentioned as important.
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Who wants to be an executive director? Participants reported that only 8.4% are highly likely to be EDs at their current organizations. Overall 29.5% of participants reported that they were highly likely to serve as EDs in the future. 75% of respondents stated that the top barriers to becoming an ED include long hours, the demands of funders, and the demands of boards. Only 7% reported salary and 9% reported stress as barriers to becoming EDs.
Read more about this survey and its findings in a recent Chronicle of Philanthropy article.
You can find more information and perspectives on generational issues facing the sector on YNPN Denver's Advocacy page.
 
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