Dignified Retirement Research Project
The Dignified Retirement Research Project is a collaborative initiative co‑led by the Alberta Nonprofit Network (ABNN) and Volunteer Alberta to explore, design, and advance pathways toward dignified, sustainable retirement options for Alberta’s nonprofit workforce.
This project is part of our broader Research portfolio.
How We Got Here
In 2024, ABNN hosted community conversations to understand the challenges and opportunities facing the nonprofit workforce. One idea that emerged from these conversations was the interest in a pension plan for nonprofit sector employees. This insight launched the first phase of the Dignified Retirement Research Project in 2025, a first-of-its-kind provincial research initiative to understand the current pension landscape and identify potential pathways forward.
In this first phase, Volunteer Alberta surveyed more than 200 nonprofit employees and 90+ organizational leaders across Alberta. The findings, captured in the Pension Planning in the Non-profit Sector: Current Gaps and Future Dreams Report, pointed to a growing consensus: existing retirement options for the nonprofit workforce are insufficient. Leaders and employees alike expressed strong interest in flexible, sustainable pension models that support long-term stability and help attract and retain talent, though leaders also cited financial and administrative barriers to implementation, emphasizing the need for practical, sector-wide solutions.
Whats Next?
Phase two launches in June 2026, shifting focus from problem definition to practical design. This stage will examine governance and delivery models for a potential sector-wide pension solution and assess what’s needed to move forward. A key focus will be ensuring that future approaches are meaningful for employees and feasible for organizations to adopt and sustain.
Call For Pension Experts: Help advance retirement security for Alberta’s nonprofit workforce
ABNN and Volunteer Alberta are seeking individuals with expertise in pensions, policy, finance, or nonprofit leadership to join a Pension Project Task Force as part of a broader effort to explore and advance retirement solutions for the nonprofit sector. This group will review existing research, evaluate pension structures, and deliver recommendations on whether a sector-wide pension option is possible or whether an existing plan may be a better fit.
Expressions of Interest are accepted via email through June 12, 2026.
Pension Planning in the Non-profit Sector: Current Gaps and Future Dreams
The people who power Alberta’s nonprofit sector deserve a secure retirement, yet most have no pension plan to count on.
This report shares key findings from two 2025 surveys of nonprofit employees and organizational leaders, examining the current state of retirement savings across the sector and the interest in new pension models. Inside, you’ll discover:
- The key gaps in current nonprofit pension strategies
- What a more resilient financial future for nonprofit staff could look like
- Pathways for meaningful change
Explore the findings to learn how nonprofits can strengthen retirement security for their teams and build a sector where every worker’s future is secure and sustainable.
