Our Work

We strive to increase the affordability of our services to the organizations who need us the most, increase service to nonprofits that work with historically marginalized communities, and ensure that the organizations we support are committed to social justice.

Executive Search

We offer a personalized approach to executive search and transition with the resources and capacity of a larger institution. We’re dedicated to diversity, equity, and inclusion, not only in values, but in practice.

Our Annual Report

In our 2022 annual report, we unveiled our updated mission, vision, values, and goals, along with a new three-year strategic plan.

Research and Publications

We are commited to do the work across the nonprofit sector to build a more equitable society. Read our research and publications aimed towards creating change.

Insights Blog

Learn from voices across TSNE and the nonprofit sector about equity, nonprofit best practices, and more.

Salary Database

View salary data by organization budget, employee population, location, or field of service. Salary information represents reporting on nearly 35,000 individual salaries.

Coming Soon

Training and Events

Our future workshops, trainings, and events.

About Us

We are a capacity building organization that partners with nonprofit organizations to provide the services, programs, and resources they need to support their communities and ultimately, create a more equitable society. 

Careers

Come work with us. Our office is located in the NonProfit Center at 89 South Street in downtown Boston. We value our nonprofit workforce by providing a comprehensive benefits package.

Nonprofit Jobs

As a fiscal sponsor, we are the employer of record for more than 50 organizations across the country. Find opportunities across the country.

Contact

Find our office address, phone number, fax, social media, directions, and parking.

Feb 13, 2014 | Insights

Know the Rules for Hiring Consultants vs. Employees

Make sure you know the employment laws regulating the matter.

Lyn shares what to consider when you are hiring an independent contractor (consultant) vs. an employee.

It is not uncommon for organizations, including many in the nonprofit sector, to enter into consulting contracts with individuals who should legally be hired as employees. This mistake is often made with good intentions.

Augmenting the Workforce: The Options

When nonprofits want to augment their regular workforce or fill a vacant position, hiring consultants instead of adding employees to the payroll seems like a win/win situation for everyone. The organizations can afford to pay consultants more than regular employees because there are no payroll taxes or benefits to fund.

Therefore, consultants make more money and organizations are spared the red tape and associated cost involved in adding and then terminating employees.

However, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and the IRS do not agree. And in fact, the employment laws regulating this matter are in place in part to protect worker rights.

Consequences of Misclassification

Employees, even if they are temporary in status, receive baseline benefit coverage that independent contractors do not — including workers compensation and unemployment benefits. Nonprofit organizations cannot avoid their obligations as employers by arbitrarily classifying employees as independent contractors. Misclassification can have serious consequences.

The risk has increased recently as the IRS and Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office monitor these practices more closely. Penalties may include large fines, attorney costs and even the loss of 501(c)3 status.

A Straightforward Process

Properly classifying workers is quite straightforward. A temporary worker (at any level) may be considered an independent contractor only if the following three conditions are all met:

  1. The individual is free from control and direction in connection with the performance of the service.
  2. The service is performed outside of the usual course of business of the employer.
  3. The individual is customarily engaged in an independently established trade, occupation, profession or business of the same nature as that involved in the service performed.

Thus, even if a worker meets condition number three in that they have their own consulting practice, as long as they perform duties that are part of the usual operation of an organization or report to a supervisor or board, they must be classified as an employee.

So, especially as the economy makes saving money even more important than ever, be sure that you do not cut corners in the hiring process. Using good hiring practices is not only the right thing to do, it’s the legal thing to do as well.