The Importance of rewards to not-for-profit staff

This paper reports on a study undertaken in a Not-For-Profit (NFP) organisation providing services for people with disabilities. The organisation is made up of two units and in response to a changing funding model, has introduced a performance bonus in one of the units. This situation raises the question as to how intrinsic and extrinsic rewards are perceived of by the organisation as a source of motivation. The aim of this study is to understand the relative importance on intrinsic and extrinsic factors in the motivation of employees in the NFP organisation. Data was gathered through a survey that had a number of statements about intrinsic and extrinsic rewards. The responses of the staff were indicated using a five point Likert scale. The frequencies and percentages of those responses are in this paper. The important findings of the study are that intrinsic rewards play a significant role in the motivation of the staff of the organisation. Extrinsic rewards were regarded in a more ambiguous way.