Overview
There are nearly 1.3 million nonprofit (voluntary, community-based, functional, or charitable) institutions in the United States alone.  Nonprofit institutions play an important role in community life and are an integral part of the economic, political, and social structure of out nation.  Certainly its most distinguishing characteristic is that nonprofits do not attempt to make a profit. Instead, their primary goal is to advance, advocate, or pursue a cause central to the organization’s existence and mission. These missions can range from women’s rights in the United States to third-world economic development. Workdays in nonprofit organizations are often long, with financial rewards not always matching effort or responsibility. Furthermore, many nonprofits face a continual crisis of resources.

The size, diversity, and activity of nonprofit organizations have grown dramatically over the past decade as a result of government efforts to “privatize” services and programs.  This sector employs approximately 12 million people, expends $120 billion in annual personnel costs, and represents $340 billion in total annual budget outlays.

Career Paths and Entry Salaries

The nonprofit sector offers multiple employment options for Master’s degree graduates. Examples of job titles include: Assistant Director of Fundraising, Program Analyst, Program Director, Program Officer, Marketing/Research Associate, Director, Community Outreach Coordinator, Finance Director, Director of Information Systems, and Director of Public Relations. It is possible to be hired as an Executive Director of a small organization. Entry-level salaries range from the mid $20’s to the $40’s depending on the size of the organizational budget, the number of staff, and the diversity of qualifications.

Following the entry level, one may assume positions of increasing responsibility in functional areas, program or service delivery, and/or general management. Primary job functions can include working with a Board of Directors, public and community groups, fundraising, media, clients and other nonprofit organizations.  Career advancement depends on the size and mission of each nonprofit, as well as your dedication to the organization. There are unlimited opportunities to jump from the nonprofit sector to the private and public/government sectors because of continuous interaction with institutions in these areas. Probable career outcomes are Senior Executive Director, Program Manager, Government Affairs, or equivalent positions in the private and public sectors.

Demand

Nonprofit management is an expanding and dynamic career field characterized by the growth of new organizations and new programs developed to improve the human condition.  Furthermore, the outsourcing of previously government managed-programs to the nonprofit sector continues to serve as a catalyst for new positions. Finally, there continues to be considerable turnover in the nonprofit world based on the upward mobility and financial challenges of this profession.

Qualifications Necessary to Enter the Field

• Master’s degree in Public Administration, Public Affairs, International Affairs, Business Administration or specialized degree in nonprofit management.
• Strong interest in the issues related to the mission of the nonprofit organization.
• Professional or volunteer experience with related nonprofit organizations.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Experience in motivating, training, and supervising others
• Ability to work creatively with limited human and finance resources.
• Overseas experience and proficiency in foreign language for international nonprofit organizations.

Sample Group of Employers

Academy for Educational Development http://www.aed.org
American Forum for Global Education http://www.globaled.org
American Red Cross http://www.redcross.org
CARE http://www.care.org
Committee to Protect Journalism http://www.cpj.org
Easter Seals www.easter-seals.org
Ford Foundation http://www.fordfound.org
Meridian International Center http://www.meridian.org
NAFSA – Association of International Educators http://www.nafsa.org
National Organization of Women http://www.now.org
Soros Foundation  http://www.soros.org
The United Way http://national.unitedway.org
World Vision http://www.worldvision.org

Future Challenges of the Profession

The nonprofit sector is a major structural and economic force in the domestic United States and overseas. Nonprofit organizations face challenges of mission definition, relations with government and the private sector, governance, financial viability, tax status, operations, program management, program delivery, effectiveness and funding.

Print Resources Available in the CDO

Careers in the Nonprofit Center - Harvard Business School guide.
Foundation Directory - provides information on the finances, governance and giving interests of the nation's largest grant making foundations – CD format.
Guidestar Nonprofit Compensation Report

Professional Associations

American Society for Public Administration
1120 G Street, NW
Suite 700
Washington, DC 20005
202-393-7878
http://www.aspanet.org

Independent Sector
1828 L Street NW
Suite 1200
Washington, DC 20036
202-223-8100
http://www.independentsector.org

Additional Recommended Print Resources

A Guide to Careers in Community Development by Paul C. Brophy and Alice Shabecoff
From Making a Profit to Making a Difference: How to Launch Your New Career in Nonprofits  by Richard M. King
Good Works: A Guide to Careers in Social Change  by Donna Colvin (Editor) et.al.
Jobs and Careers With Nonprofit Organizations: Profitable Opportunities With Nonprofits  by Ronald L. Krannich Caryl Rae Drannich
Making A Living While Making a Difference  by Melissa EverettNonprofit Job Finder: Where the Jobs Are in Charities and Nonprofits Daniel Lauber and Jennifer Atkin (January 2004)

Online Resources

SOM Net Impact Club website: http://students.som.yale.edu/clubs/bottomline/jobsearch.htm Chronicle of Philanthropy http://www.philanthropy.com
Community Career Center http://nonprofitjobs.comexecSearches.com http://www.execsearches.com
Feminist Majority Foundation http://www.feminist.org
Foundation Center http://fdncenter.org
Guidestar - information on nonprofit organizations as well as Analyst Reports. http://www.guidestar.org
IdeaList - directory and links to over 14,000 nonprofit Organizations  http://www.idealist.org/
Institute for Global Communications http://www.igc.org
Moving Ideas Network http://movingideas.org
Non-profit Career Network http://www.nonprofitcareer.com
Nonprofit Times - http://www.nptimes.com/
Opportunity Nocs http://www.opportunitynocs.org

Socially-Related Business Planning, Case, and Other Competitions

Nonprofit Career Preparation