Every successful nonprofit organization requires a talented workforce to maintain productivity and drive growth. Providing employees with an attractive benefits package is one of the most effective ways to draw in candidates and retain existing staff.
16 Alternative Nonprofit Benefits
Fortunately, nonprofits can offer incredible benefits while remaining within budget. When building a benefits package for a nonprofit, here are some alternative or supplemental benefits to consider adding:
1. Profit Sharing
Profit-sharing is one way that nonprofits can use their financial success to give back to their employees. Profit-sharing goes hand in hand with 401(k) plans.
When employers offer 401(k) retirement plans to employees, they also have the option to add a profit-sharing provision. If a nonprofit has a particularly good year, it can contribute some of the profits to its employees’ retirement plans.
2. Gym Membership
Offering gym memberships to employees as a fringe benefit can have countless benefits. Gym memberships promote health and wellness and serve as preventative medicine. They are also cost-effective and can help employees avoid long-term chronic illnesses that may require costly medications or surgery.
3. Annual Events
Annual company events can be a great way to boost morale and improve collaboration between coworkers. Team building events are also an effective way to break down barriers in the workplace and strengthen the connection between leadership and employees. Some of the most common company events include seminars, conferences, trade shows, employee retreats, golf events and appreciation events such as tickets to a popular event.
4. Extended Leave
Extended leave generally refers to a period of leave with or without pay that lasts longer than 15 consecutive workdays. Nonprofits may offer extended leave for a wide range of reasons including medical, military, parental or personal reasons.
5. Bike to Work
Bicycle commuter benefits can help employees meet the recommended physical activity guidelines of at least 150 minutes of moderate cardiovascular activity per week, as published by the CDC. Employers can support workers that choose to bike to work by providing on-site bicycle storage, on-site locker rooms and showers, bike-to-work subsidies or bike-share memberships.
6. Company Vehicle
Giving employees access to a company car can be a desirable perk. When used for business purposes, the costs of buying, maintaining and operating a company vehicle can be deducted as a business expense on taxes. Employers can also choose to offer an auto allowance that reimburses workers for gasoline and other expenses.
7. Wellness Programs
Employers are always on the lookout for ways to make healthcare costs more manageable. Offering wellness programs to employees can be an effective way to ward off health problems and lower the incidence of illness and disease among workers.
Wellness programs can take on many forms, such as nutrition education, vaccination clinics, fitness centers, exercise programs, weight loss programs and smoking cessation programs.
8. Meal Trains
Employees on extended sick leave or maternity leave often have trouble making time to buy groceries or prepare meals. Meal train sign-ups are one solution that can help these employees and their families get the nutrition and substance they need during their time away from work.
9. Employee Assistance
Many nonprofit organizations understand that employees face difficult situations that may require help from a third party. Employee assistance perks are often offered as a supplemental benefit to employees who need it most. Benefits, such as counseling, can help workers achieve a healthy mindset.
10. Tuition Reimbursement
Federal tax laws allow employees to receive up to $5,250 in tuition reimbursement tax-free from their employer each year. Offering tuition reimbursement encourages employees to keep their skills sharp and is an attractive benefit to candidates who have future educational goals. According to a survey from the International Foundation of Employee Benefits Plans, 92 percent of U.S. organizations offer some type of educational benefit.
11. On-Site Health Screenings
Health screenings are a low-cost way for employees to improve their health and gain a better understanding of ways to control their weight, blood pressure and blood sugar levels. To make it fast and easy for employees to get these health benefits, nonprofits may offer on-site health screenings, as well as other health perks such as flu shots.
12. Breakroom Snacks
Providing employees with access to a wide range of snacks in the breakroom signifies that the business cares about the employees’ wellbeing and wants to go the extra mile to make them feel valued. Fruit cups, energy bars, jerky and similar snacks can give employees the energy boost they need to make it through the day.
13. Food Trucks
Employees may not always have time to leave the workplace for lunch and bringing lunch from home can become cumbersome. Get employees excited about their daily lunch break by offering local food trucks a space to set up in the parking lot. This supplemental benefit, while boosting the morale among staff, typically does not cost the business any money.
14. Auto Services
Arrange for a mobile oil change service or auto detailer to come to the office parking lot to provide employees with convenient auto services a few times a year. Employees can elect to sign up for these complimentary or discounted services to free up time that they would otherwise have to spend outside of the workplace.
15. Travel Stipends
With a travel stipend, employees receive a sum of money intended to cover eligible travel costs. Employees are generally required to document all expenses and return any unused portion of the stipend to the employer.
Offering travel stipends for both business and non-business purposes can be an excellent way to help employees relax while out of the office.
16. On-Site Childcare
Many parents struggle to find reliable childcare, often resulting in missed days of work. Businesses that offer on-site childcare services can allow parents to check in with their kids during the day and maintain confidence that their children are being well cared for just steps from their office.
Speak With A Nonprofit Benefits Consultant
Need help putting together an employee benefits package that includes alternative or supplemental benefits for a nonprofit? Reach out to the experienced benefits consultants at Business Benefits Group to get started today.