A survey of charities and other non-profit organisations is expected to gather information about working practices and demographics in the sector.

The Non-profit Alliance of Bermuda has launched the study to “capture much-needed data”.

Kendra-Lee Pearman, the executive director of The Reading Clinic and a Non-profit Alliance working group member, said: “Employees in the non-profit arena are dedicated professionals who are passionate about the work that they do and the contributions that they make.

“This survey will help to ensure there is alignment across the sector.“

A spokeswoman for the Inter Agency Committee for Children, Families and the Community, which is sponsoring the survey, explained: “The purpose of the survey is to collect and report on data that will help non-profit boards to develop their employment practices in alignment with industry standard practice; provide non-profit staff with information that allows them to better negotiate their compensation packages; and give the non-profit sector a better understanding of its workforce, including a snapshot of the sector’s diversity, experience and qualifications.”

She said that any non-profit organisation with salaried or paid staff was encouraged to take part.

Ann Spencer-Arscott, a Non-profit Alliance working group member and the executive director at the Bermuda Red Cross, added: “The importance of participating in the survey and receiving the results allows non-profits to look at the data to ensure that they are being fair in their compensation and benefits packages for their staff.

“Non-profits are held to a very high standard and are accountable to many stakeholders.

“With this kind of scrutiny, non-profits have to ensure they are compensating their employees at comparable rates within the non-profit sector, which is what comes out of this workforce survey.”

The Non-profit Alliance is made up of leaders in the sector who work together to improve the impact of non-profit organisations and promote their value.

The survey, by Narrative Research Bermuda, can be found at www.iacbermuda.org or by e-mailing admin@iac.bm and is open until midday on March 28.

For more information about the Non-profit Alliance, visit www.iacbermuda.org/nab.