Headed for a career in the non-profit field? Overcome your skills gap 🎯

Do you have what it takes to work for a non-profit?

I had a business degree and worked in the corporate sector for years, when an opportunity came along to work for a non-profit organization.

I wasn't sure I was ready because I didn't have prior experience, except for a two-month internship at a non-profit. I also only knew the language of business, but not the development sector.

If you're preparing for a career in the non-profit sector, but you feel you're not capable, there are some simple ways to close the skills gap.

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Working for a non-profit can be one of the most fulfilling roles on earth, but as the needs of the world evolve, so do the skills you need to succeed.

Here are common skills that are needed in a non-profit:

Digital Skills: Using Technology to Grow 💻

• Using collaboration tools for better team coordination

• Learning digital marketing for online campaigns

• Leveraging AI to improve internal processes

Project Management Skills: Getting Things Done 👍🏼

• Leading a team and delegating responsibilities

• Managing team and individual stress to avoid burnout

• Knowing how to troubleshoot and solve problems in projects

Communication Skills: Connecting with Your Stakeholders 🗣️

• Actively listening to partners and beneficiaries to ensure you meet goals

• Telling the story of your organization to donors

• Getting connected with the right people for collaborations

Fundraising Skills: Finding the Right Donors & Supporters 💰

• Looking out and prioritizing funding opportunities

• Writing proposals for private and public donors

• Launching crowdfunding campaigns and creative fundraisers to solicit support

People Management: Working in Teams 🙋🏻‍♀️

• Managing and/or collaborating with your team to ensure your organization meets its goals

• Hiring, retaining, and training your people

Self-check: Which skills do you think you lack?

If you feel lacking in skills, don't worry! Thriving in a non-profit is definitely possible.

When I started in the non-profit world, I knew I was good at project management, so my roles were focused on getting things done.

• Good with sales and pitching? Land roles related to fundraising and grant writing. 📢

• Are you an excellent communicator? Work on areas that need good relationships with different people. 🗣️

• Expert in managing employees? Find assignments in human resources. 🙋🏻‍♀️

Knowing what you're good at makes it a bit easier to land the role. But to excel in the field, you needed to learn other skills too!

Depending on the nature of the non-profit, other skills may also be expected of you. If you're already in the role, start by:

• Knowing your position's responsibilities.

• Asking your manager for the relevant skills that you need to excel in your role.

• Connecting with people who have the same role as you.

1. Build Your Knowledge Online

Check out online learning platforms to equip you with skills for non-profit management:

• Need help with digital tools? Google offers online courses.

• Want to learn fundraising strategies? TED Talks has episodes on this.

2. Find Internships

While online learning builds knowledge, internships build application. Internships can help you close your skills gap directly through experience, and give you a better sense of what it's like to work in non-profit settings.

You can check out the pages of the different NGOs that are always looking for interns, like UNICEF or your local NGO's social media pages.

Check the job description and apply to jobs that require the skills you lack. Unlike jobs, internships don't generally expect you to have relevant work experience already.

When I was studying for a business program in university, I took an internship at a non-profit organization where I learned how to do data analysis and market research for a non-profit.

3. Volunteer for Causes

You don't just need skills, but also the heart for it! ❤️

Volunteering for causes you care about can help you find where you want to make a difference. With volunteering, you're hitting two birds with one stone: upskilling yourself while helping other people.

You can also build experience, and at the same time, meet other people who share the same cause as you. Maximize volunteer opportunities by connecting with the communities and the organizers.

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Jane has been working in a small, private, and traditional non-profit as part of the fundraising team. She is only used to calling phone numbers from a directory. While she owns a computer and can prepare documents and spreadsheets, she doesn't know how to maximize new tools for her job.

Next month, she is moving to a more established international non-profit that has more advanced processes and uses several online tools for collaboration and communication with donors.

How can she better prepare for her new role?

A. Attend classes on tools that will be expected in her new role.

B. Hire a virtual assistant to help her with the job.

C. Communicate her training needs to her supervisor.

Photo by litoon dev on Unsplash

For the past few years, Joe has been working as a data analyst for a financial firm. He finally found a job that meets his passion for the environment as a project officer, supporting a project manager in implementing reforestation projects. He is worried about adjusting to a new work and role in a non-profit environment.

He is considering these steps to take:

A. Volunteering for a community gardening organization.

B. Taking a course on project management.

C. Networking with professionals who are also in project management.

Ready to thrive in the non-profit sector?