Pros
Pretty good benefits. Diversity and inclusion seem valued and practiced. I think they try hard to compensate fairly and they are pretty open to hybrid or remote work. Personally, my work-life balance is actually the healthiest it has ever been. Their model is amazing and the mission aligns with science. I love that LISC takes on the wicked problems (in theory/intention at least). Most of the staff are incredibly talented and knowledgeable in their fields. I learn so much every day from my peers.
Cons
It often feels like working for a for-profit. Compared to past nonprofit jobs, there is much more of a focus on how to make or save money vs how to spend it. So, the focus because much more on organizational health than on impact, as it seems. Super disorganized although bureaucratic (in the actual definition of the word). It's a messy oligarchy despite the mission. They intend to support local initiatives, but the structure and authorities are very centralized in national headquarters. So, the practice is that all the offices and elements just support national. (The opposite of what it intends). There are no unifying goals or work plans. Every program and office for themselves, competing for attention from the same donors and grants. Most national initiatives or grants happen without inclusion or advisement of local voices or technical experts. So, its always mass confusion when we have to execute them. My biggest challenge is that we can't get out of our own way to produce any results. We just put soo many hours and money into talking about things and never actually doing anything.