Why Work for a Nonprofit?

When you’ve been working in the philanthropy field as long as I have, you hear some of the same questions over and over. One of them is, “why work for a nonprofit?” Or “Why a career in philanthropy?”

It’s a good question. Working for a nonprofit isn’t everyone’s cup of tea. There’s a lot of turnover. There’s a misleading impression that it’s low-paying work. And it can mean long hours.

But for most of the 12.5 million Americans employed in this sector, it’s not about just the pay: It’s about supporting a cause you believe in; doing rewarding work; and having a positive, lasting impact on society. And it turns out a lot of us like those ideas: a 2020 report from John Hopkins found nonprofits make up the third-largest industry in the U.S., behind only retail and food services.

Oh, and the pay isn’t that bad. In 2018, The NonProfit Times conducted a “Best Nonprofits To Work For” report. Among the top three positive factors participants ranked were leadership and planning, corporate culture … and pay/benefits.

Why Work for a Nonprofit? See the World, Gain Experience!

Many folks, like me, get into the nonprofit world accidentally. Some of them are recent college graduates who, faced with a choice between flipping burgers (while they wait for a “good” job) and getting a chance to see the world, sign on at a non-governmental organization (NGO) for field assignments in other countries, just for the experience. Some are people who’ve switched careers, then wonder why they didn’t do it earlier.

Even working for a nonprofit briefly can translate to benefits that cross over to other careers. Why work for a nonprofit? Well, fundraisers, especially, need qualities like people skills, organizational skills, and creative thinking, whether they work in major gifts, planned giving, or tackle annual campaigns.

Working for a nonprofit can also be a good fit for people with a variety of interests, because there’s rarely a “one-size-fits-all” position.  Plus, there’s space in all sectors, allowing a motivated worker to create a customized career. Folks with degrees in business, arts, social sciences, theology, education, and more are in demand to work for a nonprofit. This provides an opportunity to pursue the type of education you’re interested in while finding a way to utilize those skills in the area of your choice.

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Why Work for a Nonprofit? The Power of Networking!

One of the most beneficial aspects of working for a nonprofit is how quickly you can network and advance your career (especially if you’re in planned giving).

Established fundraisers are usually well-known in their communities — especially in smaller cities and towns. Plus, nonprofits often work together to better serve their communities, adding to that name recognition and leading to cross-referrals.

This all provides an excellent way to quickly establish relationships and move onward and upward toward even better positions — often more quickly than in other industries.

The Bottom Line

Why work for a nonprofit? Because it can be fulfilling and rewarding. The ability to strive toward the betterment of a cause close to your heart, balanced with the substantial experience and skills you’ll develop, are invaluable.

Working for a nonprofit provides fantastic opportunities for professional development, networking, and building your professional reputation quickly. And working with a diverse, talented team can help you gain perspectives and experience that you can carry with you for the rest of your career.

A career in the philanthropic sector will also help you experience life through a different lens, sharpening your focus on societal and economic issues. It will allow you to gain life skills and compassion that you won’t experience in most other career.

Is it the career choice for everyone? No, absolutely not.  If you don’t have people skills — or don’t think they’re important — a career in philanthropy is definitely not for you (unless you’re in a role in which you don’t deal with the public). A career in philanthropy can also be hard, demanding work. It requires consistency, creative thinking, and organization.

But if you ask me, working in the philanthropy world is one of the most rewarding career choices of all.  I love it.