Recent layoffs in widely disparate fields where jobs once seemed stable — from the federal government to Walmart headquarters to tech — might be the catalyst for some people to head for the nonprofit world, where they can follow their heart as well as earn a paycheck.
At Nonprofit HR, executive search consultant Danisha Martin saw a similar moment during the Covid-19 pandemic, when many people reevaluated what they wanted to be working on every day. Unfortunately, it doesn’t take a headline-grabbing event to cause stress about job security. An average of 1.5 million Americans are laid off every month, according to a 2024 Axios report.
As it happens, the nonprofit sector has a staffing shortage. The United States has approximately 2 million nonprofits. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that about two out of three nonprofit jobs in 2022 were in health care and social assistance (66.3 percent). The next top categories are educational services (16.4 percent); other services (6.3 percent); and arts, entertainment, and recreation (2.6 percent).
If you’re thinking about transitioning, here’s advice from several experts that can help you.
Readjust Your Priorities and How You Communicate
Joan Garry, a consultant to nonprofit leaders, reflects on what she learned in switching to nonprofits: “For 15 years in the entertainment business, I managed to goals, salaries, performance reviews, year-end bonuses, etc.”
But at nonprofits, she learned the importance of knowing team members in a real way —“not just who they were at the office” — how vital it is to inspire and motivate staff, and how to give people a voice by valuing their perspective and ideas.
Goals and KPIs matter, but folks come to nonprofits as their full selves and expect to be recognized in that way.
“Yes, goals and KPIs matter,” she says, “but folks come to nonprofits as their full selves and expect to be recognized in that way.”
Demonstrating you understand how to work at a mission-driven organization needs to show up in everything you send to a potential employer, says Martin.
“Use language that’s appropriate for the nonprofit sector,” she says. “Rethink being ‘budget forward’ to being ‘mission aligned.’”
Highlight Transferable Skills
Mary Plum, senior consultant at Development Guild, a firm that helps nonprofits with fundraising and executive recruitment, suggests researching roles at nonprofits and making a list of transferable skills. “Don’t assume you know everything about nonprofits,” she says.
A broad category might be “project management,” while a more specific role under that might be “handling financial operations.”
“If you were in marketing,” Plum says, “how do you feel about direct response? If you’re in communications, think about grant writing.”
Put those transferable skills at the top of your résumé, Martin advises.
Be Humble
Don’t assume you can transfer to nonprofits at the same level, Plum warns. “There are a lot of nuances to nonprofits. You might have to take a step down the ladder.”
A leader might take a chance on those who they value as a volunteer.
Switching to the charitable sector will likely include a drop in compensation. “Have a frank conversation about whether it’s realistic for you and your family,” Martin says. She recalls a recent case where a corporate marketing officer bringing in $350,000 was finding similar roles at nonprofits offering salaries in the low-$200,000 range.
Volunteer
Spending time helping nonprofits offers a preview of the field, Plum points out. “And a leader might take a chance on those who they value as a volunteer.”
Martin echoes the sentiment: “It shows an interest in the sector, not just in the moment.”
Network
Look for opportunities to work across sectors, such as by serving on a committee that has nonprofit participants or joining a board. Attend conferences. Find a chapter of the American Society of Association Executives or similar organization.
Learn the Lingo
Plum suggests several ways to get the inside track on nonprofits, such as online research and courses. Searching for “nonprofit management certification” brings up a plethora of useful information. Many classes are online, such as free Coursera offerings and Northwestern’s “Nonprofit Management Essentials.”
The effort to land a position at a nonprofit can pay off. Consultant Garry says the lessons she learned working at a mission-driven organization led her “to fall in love with the nonprofit sector. I never looked back.”
