Why Small Nonprofits Should Rethink Full-Time Hiring

Running a small nonprofit is tough. Budgets are tight and needs are endless. One of the biggest financial decisions you’ll make? Hiring full-time staff. It’s tempting—you need expertise, consistency, and someone who’s all-in on your mission. But before you commit to salaries, benefits, and long-term contracts, there’s another option worth considering: freelancers for nonprofits.

In this article, we’ll break down why full-time hires might not be the best move for your organization—and how a flexible workforce could save you money, stress, and hiring headaches.

The Hidden Costs of Full-Time Hiring

When you bring on a full-time employee, you’re not just paying their salary. You’re signing up for benefits, payroll taxes, office space (even if remote), training, and the risk of turnover. For small nonprofits, that’s a heavy lift.

Let’s say you hire a full-time grant writer at 60,000 a year. After benefits, taxes, and overhead, that number can easily balloon to 80,000. And if funding dries up? You’re stuck with a salary you can’t afford. Freelancers, on the other hand, work on a project basis. No benefits, no long-term commitment—just expert help when you need it.

The Flexibility You Actually Need

Nonprofits don’t operate on a predictable 9-to-5 schedule. Fundraising spikes during giving season, marketing needs fluctuate, and some projects require specialized skills you don’t need year-round.

A full-time hire means paying someone even during slow periods. But with freelancers, you can:

• Scale up during busy seasons.
• Bring in niche experts (like a social media strategist or event planner) for short-term projects.
• Test out roles before committing—like hiring a part-time bookkeeper before bringing one in-house.

This isn’t about cutting corners—it’s about spending smarter.

Access to Top Talent (Without the Price Tag)

Small nonprofits often can’t compete with corporate salaries. That means settling for less experience or overworking your existing team. Freelancers change that. Many are former nonprofit professionals who now consult independently. You get high-level expertise—fundraising pros, nonprofit marketers, grant writers—without the full-time price.

For example, instead of hiring a mid-level communications director, you could work with a freelance nonprofit marketer for a campaign—saving thousands while still getting professional results. “But won’t freelancers be less committed to our mission?”
Not necessarily. Many freelancers specialize in nonprofit work because they care about the cause. They just prefer the flexibility of project-based work.

How to Get Started with Freelancers

If you’re new to hiring freelancers, here’s how to make it work:

1. Identify Gaps in Your Team: Do you need help with donor outreach? Website updates? Event planning? List out the tasks that overwhelm your staff or require skills you lack.

2. Start Small: Try a one-time project (like a grant application or rebranding) before committing to ongoing work.

3. Use a Trusted Platform: Instead of scrambling through LinkedIn or Upwork, check out Nonprofit Freelancers—a marketplace vetted for nonprofit needs. You’ll find professionals who understand your world.

The Bottom Line

Full-time hires make sense for some roles—but for many small nonprofits, freelancers are the smarter choice. They save money, offer flexibility, and bring expertise without long-term risk.

If you’ve been stressing over hiring, maybe it’s time to rethink your approach. Freelancers for nonprofits aren’t just a backup plan—they could be the best decision you make this year.

Ready to find the right talent? Explore vetted freelancers at www.nonprofitfreelancers.com today.

Final Thoughts

Change is scary, especially when it comes to how you run your team. But in a world where budgets are tight and needs are always shifting, flexibility isn’t just nice—it’s necessary.

Freelancers aren’t a Band-Aid. They’re a strategic way to grow your nonprofit without overextending. So before you post that full-time job listing… ask yourself: Could a freelancer do this instead? The answer might surprise you.