Staff shortages pose a challenge for nonprofits

FLORENCE, Ky. — A recent report from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics shows that nonprofit employment has taken a major hit during the COVID-19 pandemic, and many are still struggling to cope.

Wearing multiple hats is often the norm for small business owners. For Theresa Cruz, founder and CEO of the nonprofit Fiesta NKY, it means working overtime to keep everything running.

“I come in on Saturdays and work on emails, paperwork and filing. During the week I’m always out picking up stuff and attending meetings,” she says.

Cruz opened FIESTA NKY in January 2024 with the hopes of creating a place where Northern Kentucky’s Hispanic population can become self-sufficient.

“FIESTA stands for families, inclusion, education, community, traditions and access; all the things that matter to the Spanish-speaking community,” she said.

However, she said it is difficult to serve the community when there are too few staff.

“We only have myself and one staff member,” Cruz said. “And honestly, there’s work here for at least three full-time staff members to start with. But because of the funding, I can only afford one staff member.”

FIESTA isn’t the only nonprofit struggling. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, nonprofit employment fell 4.5% between 2019 and 2020, when the COVID-19 pandemic began. The next two years saw some increases in employment; but in 2022, nonprofit employment was still below 2019 levels.

Despite these challenges, Cruz said the nonprofit is helping as many families as possible by providing food, clothing and community building resources.

“(During) the month of May, we had 69 families come to get food,” Cruz said. “In the month of June, it was 90. And in the month of July, it jumped to 122 families that came to get food.”

“(FIESTA) is going to grow and become the focal point for the Hispanic community.”