In this episode of the Fund the People podcast, host Rusty Stahl interviews Nneka Payne, Executive Director of Choose 180, a Seattle-area nonprofit that transforms oppressive systems and supports young people's healing and development. Payne shares her personal journey from experiencing the juvenile legal system firsthand to leading an organization that provides alternatives to prosecution and incarceration for youth. Choose 180 has grown from one program to eight, expanding from court-based diversion to include mental health services, gun violence prevention, and other support services.

The conversation focuses on Choose 180's groundbreaking decision to establish a minimum salary floor of $70,000 (now $73,000) for all employees, up from previous wages that hovered around $45,000-$50,000. This transformation occurred rapidly - within 4-6 weeks - during the pandemic, driven by staff advocacy and leadership's commitment to addressing financial stress among employees. The organization worked with compensation consultants and engaged their board to make this significant change, despite the uncertainties of nonprofit funding.

The results of this wage increase have been transformative for both staff and program participants. The organization has actually grown its staff from about 20 to 32 people, while maintaining strong program outcomes. Choose 180 has also expanded its employee benefits to include wellness stipends, homeownership education, and other resources. Nneka emphasizes that when staff aren't burdened by financial stress, they can focus more fully on serving participants, leading to better outcomes and stronger community impact.

Bio: Nneka Payne

Nneka is a relationship-focused and mission-driven leader who holds a dynamic background spanning a decade across community-based organizations, human services, and the legal system. Rooted in her firsthand experiences with the King County juvenile legal system, the mission of CHOOSE 180 is deeply personal for her. She has witnessed how the strain between systems, processes, and people create significant gaps and limit opportunities for young people and is committed to eliminating those strains and identifying possibilities.

Links to Resources:

CHOOSE 180 website

CHOOSE 180 on Instagram

CHOOSE 180 programs

Contact CHOOSE 180 (206) 457-8940

FTP Podcast episode Talent Matters Remix, Part III: Culture of Care - with Michele Booth Cole

FTP Podcast episode Compensation Philosophy for Your Nonprofit - with Mala Nagarajan, Vega Mala Consulting

FTP Podcast episode Getting Retirement Right – Tips for Nonprofit Employers - with Chitra Aiyar, Just Futures

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