Searching for a job in the Nonprofit arena

For- Profit Non-Profit

For-profit corporations exist to earn and distribute taxable business earnings to shareholders.

The nonprofit corporation exists solely to provide programs and services that are of public benefit.

Any profit goes straight back into the organization.

What is a nonprofit?

Nonprofits attract people with a passion for social, economic, environmental and

healthcare change.

These people tend to be:

Idealistic & passionate youthCareer Changers

For whom an issue suddenly becomes their life’s work

Who are tired of corporate life; disillusioned Those in need of a more flexible schedule People who have been laid off & want to do

something in an area of interest Those who want to do something meaningful

with the remainder of their work life

Nonprofit arena today-

Stats

1.574 million nonprofits in US (25% increase between 2001 and 2011)

9% of all wages in US economy 10% of total US workforce (13 million

employees)(http://nccs.urban.org/statistics/quickfacts.cfm)

2,176 Associations/Non-profits in Rochester, NY

Very significant Statistic

The growth rate of the nonprofit sector has surpassed the rate of both the business and

government sectors.

(http://www.urban.org/index.cfm)

Bureau of Labor Statistics

Jobs in health care and social assistance are expected to have the fastest rate of growth over the next 10 years, adding a projected 4.0 million new wage and salary jobs, or 27 percent of all new nonagricultural wage and salary jobs.(Bureau of Labor Statistics)

How does this impact career changers?

Upcoming needs

80,000 new executive leadership positions by 2016 and then each year for the next decade

(957,000 federal employees who will retire by 2016)

Also affected by retention issues…

Retention problems

One out of five employees in NP stay less than 1 year

25% leave before 2 years10% stay 5 to 10 years5% stay 10 years or more

(OK Nonprofit Retention and Vacancy Report, 2010)

With need to recruit 80,000 new Managers/year, nonprofits are looking at a lot of their budget spent on recruitment and training

Career Changers sought after!!

Upcoming dearth of leadership in NPsC.C. often bring in strong business expertiseThey already have leadership skills…They have a passion to make a difference

with the remainder of their working livesMany don’t need to worry about finances

(See encorecareers.org)…

Salary Hesitations…

Perception is that people who work in NPOs make 10-15% lower salaries than for profit companies. True?

Nonprofit & Private Industry

Bureau of Labor Statistics

Mid-level and top Management on par

With a Master’s & mid-level position, salaries from $60,000-$85,000

Presidents and CEOs make $81,000 - $130,000

Usually very good benefits, flexible hours etc.

Note- 70% 0f budgets spent on salaries

Where to start

How is finding a job in the nonprofit sector any different than any other?

Tips to finding a Nonprofit career

1. Know what you want2. Volunteer, volunteer, volunteer…3. Build comprehensive skill set4. Network5. Find great resources and search sites

Essential ingredient to being an attractive candidate

Passion!

Need to be able to communicate where your passion lies and which lens you are starting from.

Know which lens you start from:

Organization (Doctors without Borders; Red Cross)

Role ( Grant writer; healthcare worker)

Issue (Public health; the environment)

Population (Battered women; victims of natural disasters)

System - Interplay and connections between other lenses – (green movement within the label industry; healthcare for women in Sub-Saharan Africa)

Volunteer, volunteer, volunteer

Nonprofit recruiters ranked volunteering as the MOST valuable experience a candidate brings to the interview table.

Show all volunteer experience on resume Include fun drives etc. you might have done in

your companies, churches etc., Include participation in any kind of fund-

raising events

Why and how to network?

Many upper level nonprofit jobs are never posted

Volunteer and internInformational interviewsJoin organizations like Idealist.org and

become part of a group; get involved in LinkedIn discussions.

Research other organizations in your community and find out how to participate in activities that relate to your interests

Demonstrate a Comprehensive Skills Set

NPO employees wear a lot of hats!

Management, IT, grant writing, accounting, human resources, writing, editing, networking, languages, negotiating, fundraising, graphic design

Show how you utilize various skills, are flexible and always eager to learn

Gather new skills & knowledge

Business knowledge

Fundraising

WritingHuman Resource

Skills Desired How to Acquire Them

Take Classes Acct. 101 Grant Writing Management Language classes

Get involved in fundraising for a club or organization

Write editorials, blogs, volunteer to make publicity material

Toastmasters Clubs Help train people in your

volunteer work; source volunteers for clubs, projects etc. Research laws.

Get Certifications

CPR

In ’Leadership in Nonprofits’ http://www.humanics.org

Other certifications: Check local colleges

St. John Fisher’s Center For Community Engagement offers classes to “enhance nonprofit leadership by providing programs and resources” to current leaders of organizations.

Find & Utilize great Resources

• Find good job boards and links specifically for nonprofits; subscribe to email alerts

• Go to events within your community and meet movers and shakers in your area of interest

• Read regularly about area; know current trends & needs

http://www.opportunityknocks.org/ Opportunity Knocks has job listings, a Nonprofit Wage and Benefit Report, a place to

post your resume, tons of helpful articles, and job fairs around the country.

http://www.idealist.org/if/ Idealist has job listings and hosts career fairs in a number of cities. Sign up for email

alerts for jobs in your area.

http://www.nptimes.com/careers.html Job listings at the leading newspaper serving the nonprofit world. Has a salary survey,

and a list of top nonprofits. Advice and assistance from a career service center.

http://www.indeed.com/ Best overall job board for all jobs, including nonprofit

www.encore.org/ Excellent resource for career changers- job sites, articles, information

Guidestar.org For salary information and other great information

Rochester Specific links

http://www.manta.com/mb_53_F0_ELL/associations_non_profits/rochester_ny One of many links to Rochester nonprofits and associations- 2,

176 listed

http://rocwiki.org/Nonprofit_Organizations Divides comprehensive lists of Rochester nonprofits into

categories to help with your research. Every organization then has contact information and websites for further research.

Best way to research area nonprofits.

The Nonprofit Career Guide, by Shelly Cryer* Comprehensive guide to finding a job in the nonprofit world

Samplings of jobs in Rochester area 1-22-12

Catholic Family Center)(corporate experience preferred) Outreach & Training Coordinator (CFC); Manager,

Finance/Operations (CFC); HR RecruiterABVI Goodwill

Share Point, Web Developer; People Resources Administrator

Teachers needed in six areas (Uncommon Schools)Building & Ground Director (Metro Center YMCA)Activities Coordinator (St. Anne’s)Program Manger for Promise Program at School of the

Arts (Center for Youth)Communications/ Development Coordinator (DePaul)Grant Writer (Center for Disability)

HTTP: / /NCCS.URBAN.ORG/INDEX.CFM

THIS IS THE SITE I TALKED ABOUT THAT ANSWERS ALMOST ANY FACTUAL QUESTION YOU CAN HAVE ABOUT NONPROFITS, INCLUDING HOW TO START ONE, HOW TO KNOW HOW THEY ARE PERFORMING ETC.

National Center for Charitable Statistics