Every year, New Mexico MainStreet surveys its state-designated MainStreet programs to capture local budgets, fundraising success and staff compensation. These insights inform advocacy for fair compensation and demonstrate the impact these organizations make in their communities.
About the districts
- Community size: of the 32 affiliated districts surveyed, most (43%) represent small communities with a size of 5-15K.
- Organization maturity: most organizations have been in operation and supporting their local economy for more than 10 years (22 districts or 68%) and only four organizations are less than five years old (12%) and growing.
- Staff: half of the districts (56%) have additional staff (other than the executive director) to support the organization’s operations, indicating a strong need for support workers.
Director’s compensation and benefits
The average executive director’s salary is divided by community size: rural, small, mid, and urban.
- Most directors are salaried and only 6 are contractors (18%).
- Most are full-time employees and just 8 are part-time (25%). Half of the part-time employees work in rural communities indicating a need for more financial support for rural districts to expand staffing to full-time.
- Salary correlates strongly with community size with urban directors earning the highest salaries.
- Benefits are inconsistent statewide. While 21 directors (65%) receive paid vacation leave, only 10 (32%) receive health insurance or a stipend. Even less receive a retirement plan, annual bonus or cell phone allowance. This data indicates many MainStreet programs struggle to offer competitive benefits, which is an ongoing issue nationwide.
Revenue and fundraising
- Both average revenue and fundraising vary across the state, with small districts leading all others.
- Grants (including foundation and public sector sources) play a crucial role across all community sizes and are the highest in small districts.
- Sponsorships include funding for events, contributions from corporations and funding for projects are the highest in mid-size communities.
Conclusions
- Director salaries are modest statewide and many lack benefits – a challenge that may affect staff retention, resulting in staff using their positions with MainStreet programs as a career steppingstone, as opposed to a long-term career option. New Mexico MainStreet encourages greater investment in director compensation, recognizing these economic development organizations generate revenue and strengthen the local business environment.
- Districts remain committed to improving their communities and supporting local businesses. Every community size demonstrates strong engagement in sponsorships, grants and events, proving these organizations are adaptable, resourceful and determined to champion their communities.
New Mexico MainStreet is proud to support this valuable work with free technical assistance, MainStreet Capital Outlay funding for public infrastructure improvements, annual memberships to Main Street America and financial support for directors to attend Main Street America’s national conference for continued professional development and inspiration.