Abstract
Purpose. The purpose of this study was to identify the most necessary time, financial, and energy resources required by working mothers in nonprofit social services organizations to successfully balance the demands of work and family roles in the next 10 years. Methodology. A 3-round Delphi procedure was used to collect quantitative and qualitative data from an expert panel. The panel was asked to identify and rate the most necessary time, financial, and energy resources needed by working mothers in nonprofit social services organizations in the next 10 years. Participants were also asked to provide comments regarding their ratings and to provide any comments that would contribute to the study. Findings. The panel recommended 79 time, financial, and energy resources that would support working mothers to balance the demands of work and family roles. The panel reached high consensus on 54 items. There were 28 resources that were determined to be necessary or very necessary. Eight themes emerged from the qualitative data, including information regarding how personal resources are allocated, the need for support, and potential barriers that make it difficult to provide the resources to employees in nonprofit social services organizations. Conclusions. Working mothers in nonprofit social services organizations highly value resources that would increase their time, finances, and energy. However, they need help and support to effectively access and utilize potential resources. Working mothers also have to take an active role in acquiring and effectively utilizing their time, financial, and energy resources in order to be successful in meeting the demands of work and family. Recommendations. Leaders of nonprofit social services organizations must provide necessary time, financial, and energy resources to working mothers in the next ten years. Nonprofits should provide financial resources to minimize the loss of employees to for-profit organizations by making the needs of working mothers priority. Future research advised includes replicating this study with related populations, conducting case studies, and studying the needs of nontraditional families.