Employee retention is a major issue for many companies, particularly nonprofits. However, there are many strategies to reduce high rates. First, companies should be constantly recruiting. Gloria Horsley, of Open to Hope, says she is always recruiting, maintaining a list of qualified candidates that can be onboarded and trained quickly. Peggy Smith, of Worldwide ERC, says that while rapid employee turnover is becoming the norm in the private sector, it can be planned for and managed. Volunteer turnover is different. The nonprofit environment is more fluid, with individuals constantly entering and exiting the volunteer workforce. “We create volunteer options that bring engagement, purpose, relevance and leadership development to our community that make them keep coming back for more,” she says. Another way to prevent turnover is to turn internships into a recruiting tool. Pamela Hawley, of UniversalGiving, says that around 88 percent of their new hires are interns who return to their workforce permanently. “If they show strong execution and a positive attitude, then we hire them,” she says.