5. Where in the Nonprofit World Can You Make a Difference?

If you're leaning toward work in a nonprofit organization, there are literally more than a million choices. There are about 1.8 million nonprofit organizations in the U.S. – and no two are exactly alike.

Finding the right match

With years of work and life experience, and a rolodex of contacts under your belt, you may be well situated to help with the meat-and-potatoes work of any nonprofit – fundraising, management, and board and program development.

Experience in public relations, marketing, and special events is in demand. If you have expertise in such fields as government relations, accounting, proposal writing, or strategic planning, you might be able to find work in a medium-size or large nonprofit.

Business owners can put their experience to use, too. In recent years, thousands of nonprofits have sought to reduce their dependency on charitable gifts by starting for-profit businesses such as cleaning services, publishing houses, cafes, rehabilitation housing, and light manufacturing. For details, see the Social Enterprise Alliance.

First things first

Start by identifying the issues you care about and the organizations that address them. Then zero in on how your experience might help advance the group's mission.

Most nonprofit organizations have web sites and list job openings online. It may be obvious, but checking an organization's web site is one way to stay abreast of openings.

About Nonprofits

Get acquainted with the nonprofit sector:

• Check out Bridgestar, GuideStar, Independent Sector, and the National Council of Nonprofit Associations.
• Read The NonProfit Times.
• Take a course on nonprofit organizations at your local university, community college, or online.