Donors Invest in Health Nonprofit’s Staff -- with Dramatic Program Results - Janelle Miller Morav...

Описание: Download the transcript of this episode in .pdf format⁠ (https://drive.google.com/file/d/1zh3_...)






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What happens when a nonprofit uses a six-figure, one-time gift not to launch a new program—but to fundamentally improve job quality for its staff?


In this episode, Rusty Stahl sits down with Janelle Miller Moravek, Executive Director of Youth and Family Counseling (YFC) in Lake County, Illinois, to share a powerful case study of how investing in nonprofit workers can dramatically improve retention, service delivery, and program outcomes.






Facing 40% staff turnover, YFC made a bold decision: use a transformational donor gift to raise salaries and redesign work conditions—with intention, transparency, and sustainability. The result? A healthier, more resilient workforce; lower turnover; more therapy sessions delivered; and improved clinical outcomes.


This conversation offers a rare, inside look at how compensation, workload design, management practices, and workplace culture can work together to create an upward spiral—for staff and for the communities they serve.






This episode challenges one of the nonprofit sector’s most persistent myths: that investing in staff compensation is risky or unsustainable. Instead, Janelle shows how strategic workforce investment can unlock greater access, quality, and financial resilience—even in Medicaid-funded, high-demand service environments.


For executive directors, funders, board members, and major donors, this is a concrete example of how funders and nonprofits can collaborate on talent-investing to drive mission impact.






Topics covered:

• ​Why raising pay alone isn’t enough—and what else must change to retain staff
• ​ How YFC redesigned compensation using transparent salary scales and performance-based progression
• ​ The role of reasonable workloads and boundary-setting in preventing burnout
• ​ How investing in caring, well-equipped managers strengthens the entire organizationWhy workplace fun and connection—on paid work time—matterWhat this model means for foundation executives, boards, and major donors who are skeptical of investing in wages





Results discussed:

• ​100% of staff transitioned to a new, transparent salary scale within nine months
• ​ Staff turnover reduced from 40% to 28% in under a year
• ​1,300 more sessions delivered in the first three quarters of 2025 vs. 2024
• ​Increased treatment completion and improved client outcomes





Guest Bio:


Janelle Miller Moravek is a nonprofit leader and mental health advocate. She has led Youth & Family Counseling as Executive Director since 2009, driving its growth and impact across Lake County, Illinois.


With a deep commitment to increasing access to mental health services, she oversees strategy, programming, and operations while fostering strong partnerships throughout the community. Janelle plays a key leadership role in the region, serving on the board of the Lake County Alliance for Human Services and co-chairing the Lake County Behavioral Health Action Team. Her prior experience includes development roles at Carmel Catholic High School and Barat College. She lives in Libertyville with her husband and three children.






Related Episodes:

• ​How One Nonprofit Models Talent-Investing - with Abby Wolensky & Ashley Pesi, Auberle (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast...) (S2:E15)
• ​Talent-Investing is the Best Capacity-Building - with Tom Fuechtmann, Community Memorial Foundation (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast...) (S3:E6)
• ​Talent Matters Remix, Part III: Culture of Care - with Michele Booth Cole, SafeShores DC (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast...) (S2:E10)
• ​6 Practices for Embedding Equity in Nonprofit Compensation - with Mala Nagarajan, Vega Mala Consulting (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast...) (S4:E6)
• ​A Model for Systematically Improving Nonprofit Workplaces - with Arum Lee Lansel (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast...) (S7:E9)

Resources & Links⁠ (  / janelle-miller-moravek-903a815b  )

• ​Youth and Family Counseling (YFC) (http://counselingforall.org/)
• ​MIT Living Wage Calculator (https://livingwage.mit.edu/)
• ​Janelle Miller Moravek on LinkedIn (  / janelle-miller-moravek-903a815b  ) (m...