FAQs and Tips for understanding the nonprofit job market.
Nonprofits are just like for-profit companies, only with a double bottomline to make money and impact. There are lawyers, coders, marketers, operations, HR and every other type of job available. The nonprofit industry represents about 10% of the US labor force and more people continue to look for professions with a purpose each year.
Do nonprofit employees get paid?
Of course. It is by law that nonprofit employees receive some kind of reasonable salary for their given services. The only key difference between the company and its nonprofit employees is that workers are required to pay income taxes. If interested, you can research salaries of nonprofit employees by using the form 990 finder online.
How to find a job at a nonprofit?
- Start Volunteering and emphasize it on your cover letter/resume.
- Check nonprofit career websites (see below).
- Build your network, hangout on LinkedIn and reach out to professionals for advice.
- Make Sure Your Application Materials Are Stellar and that you are well-rounded.
Nonprofit resume tips
Follow the tips for regular resumes except you should consider adding any volunteer experience to the resume.
- Put your cause first or what you care about in your statement.
- Make sure that it relates to the nonprofit you are applying for.
- This can also be stated in your cover letter or initial email to the organization.
- Nonprofits aren’t just looking for the skills they are looking for people that care about the mission.
- Check your resume for non-inclusive language.
Top Nonprofit Job boards
| Organization | Type | URL | Notes |
| Acre | Agency | http://acre.com/jobs | Broad list of CSR, Nonprofit, agency jobs |
| Aspen Institute Network | Network | https://ande.site-ym.com | SGB sector Includes openings with ANDE members and their portfolio companies. |
| Bridgestar | Agency | http://www.bridgespan.org/Nonprofit_Jobs/Search_Jobs.aspx | Small list of nonprofit jobs from networks limited only in the United States. |
| Chronicle of Philanthropy | Publication | https://www.philanthropy.com/jobs | Broad list of nonprofit jobs |
| Common Good Careers | Network | http://www.cgcareers.org/find-a-job/ | Narrow list of nonprofit jobs |
| Devex | Network | https://www.devex.com/ | International Development Job Boards and Industry Knowledge + News |
| DevNet | Network | http://www.devnetjobs.org/ | General international development jobs |
| Draper RIchards | Foundation | http://www.drkfoundation.org/job-opportunities.html | Mostly senior level jobs from their grantees in early stage growth |
| Encore.org | Job Site | encore.org | Focused on jobs to re engage retirement community |
| Escape The City | Network | http://www.escapethecity.org/ | Broad list of jobs in the community |
| Ethical Performance | Network | http://www.ethicalperformance.com/recruitment/index.php | Small list of listings from network |
| Global Imipact Investing Network (GIIN) Jobs Board | Network | http://jobs.thegiin.org/jobs/ | Jobs from GIIN members |
| Idealist | Job Site | http://idealist.org | Largest list of non profit jobs in the sector |
| Indeed | Job Site | http://www.indeed.com/q-nonprofit-jobs.html | Nonprofit search on general job directory |
| Janssen | Recruiting Firm | http://janssenrecruiting.com/clients/#CurrentSearches | PAGE NOT FOUND |
| Just Means | Network | http://www.justmeans.com/jobsearch | Broad list of jobs, focus on CSR and agencies |
| Just Means | Network | http://jobs.justmeans.com/ | Broad list of nonprofit jobs |
| Koya | Recruiting Firm | https://koyapartners.com/searches/open/ | PAGE NOT FOUND |
| Leadership Search Partners | Recruiting Firm | http://leadershipsearch.com/search#current | Small list of nonprofit jobs located in the state of California |
| Social | https://www.linkedin.com/jobs/nonprofit-jobs | Use nonprofit keyword in the LinkedIn job search tool | |
| Monster | Job Site | http://www.monster.com/jobs/search/?q=nonprofit&kwdv=4848 | Nonprofit search on general job directory |
| Net Impact | Network | https://netimpact.org/careers/find-opportunities/job-board/search-jobs | Broad list of nonprofit jobs |
| Next Billion | Network | http://www.nextbillion.net/jobsfeed.aspx | List of socially minded jobs from the network |
| Nonprofit Technology Network (NTEN) | Network | https://www.nten.org/jobs/ | Technical jobs from the Nonprofit network |
| Nonprofit Times | Publication | http://www.thenonprofittimes.com/jobs/ | Broad list of nonprofit jobs |
| Olive Grove | Recruiting Firm | http://www.theolivegrove.com/services-impact/open-executive-searches/ | PAGE NOT FOUND |
| Omidyar | Foundation | http://jobs.omidyar.com/ | Jobs from all Omidyar social impact grantees/investments |
| On-Ramps | Recruiting Firm | http://www.on-ramps.com/open-positions/ | Concentrated in nonprofit jobs in the business sector. Contains finance, accounting, marketing, manager. |
| Opportunity Knocks | Job Site | http://www.opportunityknocks.org/ | Broad list of nonprofit jobs |
| Philanthropy News Digest | Foundation | http://philanthropynewsdigest.org/jobs | Foundation Center backed nonprofit job board |
| Rework | Recruiting Firm | http://rework.jobs/ | General job list. |
| Robin Hood Foundation | Foundation | https://www.robinhood.org/granteejobs | NY focused jobs from their grantees |
| Simply Hired | Job Site | http://www.simplyhired.com/search?q=nonprofit&l= | Nonprofit search on general job directory |
| Skoll Social Edge | Foundation | http://skoll.org/community/jobs/#s=1 | List of jobs from the Skoll network |
| Social Good Jobs | Job Site | http://socialgoodjobs.org/ | Broad list of nonprofit jobs |
| Social | https://twitter.com/hashtag/Nonprofitjobs?src=hash | Use #nonprofit jobs to see what is out there, or build Job keyword searches for orgs you like | |
| USSIF Responsible Investing | Network | http://www.ussif.org/jobs_search.asp | Small list, East Coast Listings from network (may require login) |
| Waldron | Recruiting Firm | http://www.waldronhr.com/index.php/about/our-team/347-waldron-jeff-waldron | General job list. |
Types of Nonprofit Jobs
When searching across job boards it can help to filter for the type of job skills you have, rather than just generally browsing.
Administrative/Accounting
Aides Supervisor
- Community Service Project Coordinator
- Compliance Coordinator
- Financial Aid Representative
- Member Records Administrator
- Member Services Representative
- Membership Assistant
Health and Human Services
- Associate Pastor
- Case Manager
- Chaplain
- Chemical Dependency Counselor
- Child Care Worker
- Child Life Specialist
- Child Support Case Officer
- Childbirth Educator
- Counselor
- Hospice Supervisor
- Housing Coordinator
- Housing Counselor
- Human Services Worker
- Juvenile Counselor
- Living Skills Advisor
- Managed Care Coordinator
- Medical Social Worker
- Minister
- Pastor
- Policy Analyst
- Residential Living Assistant
- Social Worker
Human Resources
- Event Team Recruiter
- Job Developer
- Labor Union Organizer
- Team Leader
- Volunteer Coordinator
