FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
A new survey of 85 nonprofit employers finds seasonal hiring on the rise, internship placements up tenfold, and the sector continuing to outpace other industries on living wages.
LONDON, ON, July 30, 2026 – Nonprofit organizations across the London Economic Region (LER) continued to hire, train, and invest in local talent in 2025, even as funding pressures and a shifting labour market reshaped how the sector builds its workforce, according to the 2026 EmployerOne Survey (EOS) released today by the Elgin Middlesex Oxford Workforce Planning and Development Board (EMOWPDB), in partnership with Pillar Nonprofit Network.
The annual survey, which captures hiring, retention, and workforce trends among employers in London, Middlesex, Elgin, Oxford, and St. Thomas, gathered responses from 85 nonprofit organizations in early 2026. The results point to a sector that remains a significant local employer and community builder, but one that is also navigating real structural strain.
"The nonprofit sector keeps showing up for our communities, even while absorbing funding uncertainty, rising costs, and a tightening labour market," said Victor Igboanusi, policy analyst at Pillar Nonprofit Network. "This year’s results show a sector that is adapting, leaning more on seasonal and project-based roles, opening more doors for students, and still outperforming other industries on living wages – but the underlying pressures on compensation and stable funding aren’t going away."
The importance of nonprofits in the local workforce is underscored by Petrusia Hontar, the Executive Director of ENOWPDB: “Nonprofits are woven into the fabric of a working community. They run the childcare that allows parents to work, they help employers find and train talent, they support people through the job search when times are tough, and they fill countless other gaps in between. This survey confirms what we see every day: nonprofits are not a minor player in our regional economy. Rather, they are a critical piece of a thriving, resilient workforce. Supporting nonprofits’ ability to attract and retain staff isn't just good for the sector, it's good for everyone who depends on the services they provide. However, the sector is facing increasing funding uncertainty and economic pressure that it won't be able to withstand indefinitely. It is essential to address these issues in order to build stable, lasting nonprofits that will support the overall workforce in the London Economic Region for years to come.”
Key Findings
Hiring activity slowed, and seasonal roles are filling the gap
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73% of nonprofit organizations hired new staff in 2025, down from 89% the previous year.
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98% of organizations that hired brought on staff from within the London Economic Region, and more than three-quarters hired all their employees locally.
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Seasonal positions accounted for 24% of all hires in EOS 2026, up sharply from 10% the previous year, and now represent the single largest category of new hires – ahead of permanent full-time and permanent part-time roles (21% each).
Internships and co-op placements surged
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Nonprofits reported 172 internship, student placement, and co-op opportunities in EOS 2026, up from just 17 the previous year, despite uncertainty surrounding the Canada Summer Jobs program earlier in 2025.
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Nationally, 42% of charities offer internship or co-op placements, according to the Charity Insights Canada Project (2026).
Inclusive hiring remains a sector strength
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More than half of participating organizations hired at least one member of a designated or equity-deserving group, including women, youth, racialized individuals, newcomers, immigrants, older workers, persons with disabilities, Indigenous peoples, and members of the 2SLGBTQ+ community.
Retention is improving, but turnover and wages remain concerns
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62% of nonprofits experienced staff separations in the past year, down 12 percentage points from the previous survey.
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Resignations tied to wages accounted for a smaller share of departures than before: quits made up 48% of separations in EOS 2026, down from 64% in EOS 2025. The top reasons employees left were finding other employment (50%) and unsatisfactory wages and benefits (50%).
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Youth and women continue to be disproportionately affected by retention challenges in the region.
Nonprofits continue to lead on living wages
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47% of nonprofit organizations pay a living wage to 100% of their employees, compared with 40% of employers across all sectors regionally.
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Only 15% of nonprofits pay a living wage to fewer than half of their staff, compared with 23% of employers region-wide – evidence the sector continues to outperform the broader economy on fair compensation despite tighter budgets.
Looking ahead with cautious optimism
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More than half of organizations expect workforce levels to hold steady, and about three-quarters plan to hire in the coming year, largely to fill existing vacancies and meet seasonal needs.
Looking Ahead
The 2026 EmployerOne Survey results describe a nonprofit workforce under real pressure, from funding uncertainty to below-market compensation and high turnover, but one that continues to hire locally, open new pathways for young workers, and lead on decent work. EMOWPDB and Pillar Nonprofit Network will continue to share these findings with regional employers, funders, and policymakers to inform workforce planning across the London Economic Region.
The Detailed Analysis of Key Findings
For media inquiries or to arrange interviews with report authors or nonprofit leaders, please contact:
Victor Igboanusi
Policy Analyst, Pillar Nonprofit Network
vigboanusi@pillarnonprofit.ca / 519-433-7876 ext. 235
Petrusia Hontar
Executive Director, Elgin Middlesex Oxford Workforce Planning Development Board (EMOWPDB)
petrusia@workforcedevelopment.ca / +1 519 672-3499 ext. 103
About the EmployerOne Survey
The EmployerOne Survey is an annual survey of employers across the London Economic Region — London, Middlesex, Elgin, Oxford, and St. Thomas — conducted by the Elgin Middlesex Oxford Workforce Planning and Development Board (EMOWPDB) in partnership with Pillar Nonprofit Network and other community interest holders. The survey tracks hiring, training, and retention trends to support regional workforce planning.
About Pillar Nonprofit Network
Pillar Nonprofit Network is dedicated to enhancing the operational capabilities of the impact sector. We promote equity through shared knowledge and community collaboration. We act as a catalyst and advocate for transformational change. To learn more about Pillar Nonprofit Network, please visit www.pillarnonprofit.ca
About the Elgin Middlesex Oxford Workforce Planning and Development Board
Elgin Middlesex Oxford Workforce Planning and Development Board (EMOWPDB) works to provide the community with quality labour market information to make decisions to lead to a thriving, viable regional economy. EMOWPDB has over 20 labour market information tools on their website to assist the labour force and employers within the Elgin Middlesex and Oxford region to make more informed decisions. View these tools and their library of reports at workforcedevelopment.ca.