How do I find nonprofit jobs?

Imagine starting your day knowing your work makes a real difference.

Instead of just earning a paycheck, you're contributing to causes you care about deeply.

Many graduates find themselves searching through countless job listings, only to feel disconnected from the roles they come across.

Photo by Katt Yukawa on Unsplash

If you're seeking a career that aligns with your social values and allows you to serve a greater purpose, nonprofit jobs could be the answer.

A nonprofit organization's primary mission is to support a social benefit or cause rather than to generate profit.

Key characteristics of nonprofit prganizations:

• Mission-driven: focus on specific social, educational, charitable, or community-oriented goals.

• Revenue usage: funds raised are used to support the mission, with the surplus reinvested into the cause.

• Tax-exempt status: often qualify for tax-exempt status under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code (in the U.S.).

• Accountability: governed by a board of directors or trustees to ensure mission adherence and responsible fund management.

Focus on what you’re passionate about:

As nonprofit work is mission based,think about what values and issues are important to you. If you have a firm grasp of your own values, you can find nonprofits that align with your beliefs.

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Reach out:

Once you've found an organization you're interested in, reach out for an informational interview. In doing so, you could find out about the culture of the organization, what skill set they're looking for in new hires, and how they are structured. This information will help you better position yourself should a position come up at the organization.

Tailor your resume:

When applying for a job, check the organization’s mission statement. Highlight your skills and experience that best match what they may be looking for.

Sometimes finding a nonprofit job requires getting your foot in the door. You can do so by:

Applying for an internship:

• Like getting into any industry, internships can be a rewarding and reliable way to get your foot in the door at nonprofit organizations.

• Don’t see any advertised? Find an organization whose work you're interested in and reach out via phone call or email.

Volunteering:

• Volunteering is a great way to get your foot in the door at an organization and make yourself known.

• Once you demonstrate your value to the organization, they may be more likely to hire you.

Finding nonprofit work involves understanding the various roles that are essential to the functioning of these organizations.

Nonprofits encompass a broad range of vastly different organizations with diverse needs and operations. Knowing some of the roles in a nonprofit can assist you when searching for available positions.

Here are some commonly sought-after positions:

Grant writers:

• The focus of this job is writing grant proposals to secure funding for an organization. A grant is money awarded to an organization with rules on how it can be used.

Fundraising managers:

• The focus of this job is being responsible for making sure their organization reaches their donation targets. This may be done through running events, delivering local campaigns, and building relationships.

Communications specialists:

• The focus of this job is managing the organization's public image and communication strategies. This is done through creating content for social media, newsletters, and press releases to promote the organization's mission.

Volunteer coordinators:

• The focus of this job is recruiting, training, and managing volunteers. Volunteer Coordinators ensure that volunteers are effectively integrated into the organization.

A specific degree isn't essential to get work in the nonprofit sector.

What you need instead are transferable skills, which include both “soft skills” and “hard skills.”

Hard skills are job-specific skills that you might have learned at school or through previous jobs — for example, coding if you're a software developer.

Soft skills are more behavioral — they include how well you communicate with others and work within a team.

As a nonprofit often doesn't have the resources to employ lots of people, you may encompass many roles with a variety of skills required. For example, you may be writing grant proposals but also doing some basic graphic design for social media posts.

Question: How would you approach finding and applying for nonprofit positions that best match your qualifications and career goals?

A. Apply to every nonprofit job you find, regardless of fit.

B. Focus on roles that align with your skills and passion, and tailor each application to highlight relevant experience.

C. Apply only to the highest-paying positions

D. Wait for recruiters to contact you with opportunities.

Now that you know more about the nonprofit sector and how to find jobs within it, try doing some or all of the following: