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V O L . X X X N O. X X I I G I V I N G G U I D E 2 0 2 4 – 2 0 2 5 6 GIVING GUIDE M aine has the largest population per capita of individuals 65 years and older in the United States, making up 22.5% of the state's total population accord- ing to the U.S. Census Bureau. An aging population and decreasing birth rates are negatively impacting workforces nationwide, but nonprofits are finding inclusive solutions to mitigate shortages. While retirement is resulting in extensive non- profit leadership turnover and institutional knowl- edge being lost, the Maine Council on Aging and the Southern Maine Agency on Aging both believe that recruiting older workers is actually the key to solving workforce shortages across all sectors, espe- cially in nonprofits. "Ageism is a big deal. It is holding us back. We don't see older people as our future. But the Mak- ing Maine Work Report in 2013 identified putting older workers back to work as the best solution and 10 years later in 2023, the report still said that older workers are probably the best thing we've got going. Employers are doing nothing to build this highly functioning, multi-generational workforce," says Jess Maurer, executive director of the Maine Coun- cil on Aging. Better health practices and technology mean that people in the United States are living longer than ever before. is longevity is turning the tradi- tional idea of retiring in someone's 60s on its head. Financially, living longer results in more bills having to be covered throughout a person's life. Addition- ally, it means that people will still want to be active, career-driven, and find their place in a purposeful work community. Whether full-time, part-time, or through volunteerism, older individuals are filling gaps left by workforce shortages. According to Maurer, nonprofits are already used to making meaningful impacts on the community despite their tight budgets. e creative problem solving and inclusive nature of nonprofits make the industry perfect to foster this new wave of older workers. In order to be competitive in recruitment, employers are going to have to try innovative work schedules and ideas. "at's just the reality of it, How an aging workforce is affecting nonprofits. B y S l o a n e M . P e r r o n Longevity and leadership PH OTO / C OU R TES Y OF TH E M AI NE C OU NC I L ON AGI NG Jess Maurer is the executive director of the Maine Council on Aging. C O N T I N U E D O N PA G E 8 » ADOBE S TOC K PH OTO / S AKDAS ONG