Why one Toronto nonprofit chose a pension for its people

This blog was contributed by OPTrust as part of an ongoing partnership with ONN. 

Ontarians are struggling to save for retirement – and combined with a broader affordability
crisis, these pressures are hitting the nonprofit sector especially hard. Tighter budgets and fewer
resources mean retirement security often gets pushed to the back burner. 
 
The numbers tell a sobering story. According to the National Institute on Ageing, only 29% of
Canadians say they can afford to retire when they want to – down from 35% just three years
ago. For nonprofit workers, the reality is even more challenging. 
 
This is where OPTrust Select comes in.  
 
OPTrust Select is a defined benefit pension plan designed with nonprofits in mind –
professionally managed, affordable, and recommended by ONN. It gives organizations the ability to offer their staff something that seemed out of reach to many: a high quality defined benefit pension. 
 
One organization that has already seen the impact of offering OPTrust Select to their staff is the WomanACT, which joined in 2022.

Supporting frontline work in Toronto

WomanACT is a collaborative organization working to improve systems that respond to violence
against women in Toronto. Through research, coordination, and partnerships across sectors – including shelters, legal services, health care, and community organizations – WomanACT helps strengthen the city’s response to gender-based violence. 
 
Like many nonprofits, WomanACT competes for talented staff in a sector where compensation
can be limited. Leadership began exploring ways to strengthen their employee value proposition
while continuing to operate responsibly within their budget. 
 
Their motivation was straightforward.

“We wanted to ensure that our organization was competitive with what other organizations are offering.”

Offering strong benefits is especially important in the nonprofit sector, where employees are
deeply committed to their work but often face less competitive salaries than their for-profit counterparts. For WomanACT, a pension was about more than just compensation – it was also about organizational values.

“It matters for nonprofits because it signals stability, fairness and long-term commitment – and that’s important in a sector where salaries are often lower than for-profit counterparts.”

Finding a pension that works for nonprofits

When evaluating pension options, the WomanACT team focused on a few key considerations:
affordability, administrative simplicity, and meaningful support for staff. 

For many smaller organizations, pensions can seem complex or expensive to manage. OPTrust Select was designed to address these concerns by offering a shared plan structure that minimizes administrative burden for participating employers. 
 
Ultimately, the organization chose OPTrust Select because it aligned well with their needs and capacity.

A tool for hiring – and retaining – talent

Since joining the plan, WomanACT has already seen benefits when it comes to recruiting and keeping staff. 
 
“It’s made hiring a bit easier because candidates really notice when a nonprofit offers a pension. And for our current staff, it’s given people more long-term security, which definitely supports retention.” 
 
In a competitive labour market – particularly in specialized nonprofit roles – benefits like
pensions can make a meaningful difference in how organizations attract and retain employees. 
 
Staff feedback has also been positive. According to the organization, employees appreciate
knowing their employer is investing in their future. 
 
“Staff have been very appreciative and have a sense that the organization is investing in their future.”

Changing perceptions about pensions

A common misconception in the nonprofit sector is that pensions are only feasible for large
organizations. WomanACT says their experience tells a different story.

“Pensions aren’t just for big organizations anymore. OPTrust Select was built with smaller nonprofits in mind, and the costs and administration are very manageable. It’s actually one of the easiest ways for a small organization to stand out and show staff they’re valued.”

In addition to supporting recruitment and retention, the plan has also helped reduce uncertainty
about retirement planning – for both staff and leadership. 
 
With economic volatility affecting many sectors, the predictability of a defined benefit pension
can provide welcome reassurance.

“Having a pension in place makes the future feel more secure and has taken some of the guesswork out of planning for the future.”

Building a stronger nonprofit workforce

At a time when retirement security feels out of reach for so many Canadians, the experience of
WomanACT shows that nonprofits can give your staff the retirement they deserve. The barrier is lower than you think. 

WomanACT understood that. And by joining OPTrust Select, they made something that is
increasingly rare for working Canadians – a stable, predictable retirement – a reality for their staff. You can do the same.

Organizations interested in joining OPTrust Select can learn more by contacting: 
Email: info@optrustselect.com | Phone: 416-681-3609