Enable employees to reconnect to your mission. Why might some techies feel undervalued despite impressive benefits and pay? Are many of them focused on repetitive tasks that offer little evidence of impact? Do they work 'nose to the grind' without celebrating milestones or looking into the bright future? Do they have little opportunity to collaborate and advance shared goals? "People want to work for companies where they feel that they're making a meaningful difference in the world," said Rosabeth Moss Kanter, a Harvard Business School researcher featured in the Fast Company article, 5 Things People Who Love Their Jobs Have In Common. Similarly, most nonprofit leaders would agree that many individuals pursue nonprofit work in order to support missions they believe in, and to feel connected by making positive impacts in their communities. Even with the sweetest benefits package imaginable, over time an employee may lose passion and motivation if he or she feels disconnected from the mission. Remind your employees regularly how their daily work supports the ultimate goal. Personal fulfillment at work might beat all the other benefits you could offer.

Cultivate a learning culture. Do you ever feel bored or get sick of doing the same tasks and projects at work? Learning is a key element that many employees seek at work, and continual learning may allow employees to remain satisfied at work over time. Many nonprofits may lack promotional opportunities or clear career paths for their employees, but we can all offer training and development. Whether it's learning a new skill from a colleague, being mentored by a nonprofit leader or board member, or being given additional responsibilities and new projects, every employee wants to learn and grow. Even if you can't offer a monetary promotion, demonstrate your appreciation for employees who love learning on the job by updating their job descriptions, or by offering perks and recognition when you can.