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What are the Different Types of Nonprofit Jobs?

Tess C. Taylor
Tess C. Taylor

There are many excellent career opportunities in the non-profit industry that allow for excellent earnings, fun work environments, and growth potential. With nonprofit jobs accounting for more than 20 percent of all jobs available in the market, there are plenty of opportunities to find a role that will lead to long-term career satisfaction. Non-profit jobs are found in diverse industries from community service, religious organizations and the arts, to animal welfare, public health, and medical research.

For the inexperienced jobseeker with an interest in nonprofits, there are many entry-level jobs and volunteer positions that can provide the experience needed to be successful in administration. These roles help to support the activities of charities and keep things organized so that upper level nonprofit professionals can focus on fundraising and marketing activities, which will help maintain and grow organizations over the long run. There are internships available for new graduates as well as those who want to get involved with nonprofit activities.

Development directors are in charge of raising funds from grantmakers.
Development directors are in charge of raising funds from grantmakers.

Nonprofit organizations often focus on fundraising activities for all or part of the year. This means there are many nonprofit jobs available in event coordination, promotion, and community networking. These are perfect jobs for those who are good with working with the public, have above-average communication skills, and many connections in the community. Event jobs are available from volunteers as well as paid workers in jobs with more responsibility within many charitable organizations.

Some nonprofits focus on improving conditions for people who are incarcerated.
Some nonprofits focus on improving conditions for people who are incarcerated.

Many nonprofits spend a great deal of time marketing and creating advertisements and publications, which will bring greater awareness to the causes of the organization. This means there are nonprofit jobs available for journalists and publications specialists who want to write and share information about the causes they believe in. These skills are also valuable for grant writing when government funds are being pursued to provide the means to run certain aspects of nonprofit organizations or to make new plans.

Many international nonprofits work with people living in extreme poverty.
Many international nonprofits work with people living in extreme poverty.

In many nonprofits, there are teams of development specialists who work closely with all other professionals to take direct the strategies of charitable organizations. These teams can often be made up of the marketing, fundraising, and event coordinators in partnership with the actual directors and board members who are actively involved with promoting and growing the organization. While these nonprofit jobs require more experience, they are plentiful in the world of nonprofits.

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    • Development directors are in charge of raising funds from grantmakers.
      By: gunnar3000
      Development directors are in charge of raising funds from grantmakers.
    • Some nonprofits focus on improving conditions for people who are incarcerated.
      By: ViewApart
      Some nonprofits focus on improving conditions for people who are incarcerated.
    • Many international nonprofits work with people living in extreme poverty.
      By: Andrea Izzotti
      Many international nonprofits work with people living in extreme poverty.
    • Donor cultivation is a critical part of the fund-raising activities of nonprofits.
      By: Rawpixel
      Donor cultivation is a critical part of the fund-raising activities of nonprofits.
    • People working for a nonprofit may organize donation drives.
      By: Monkey Business
      People working for a nonprofit may organize donation drives.
    • Some nonprofit organizations focus on preserving the environment.
      By: ueuaphoto
      Some nonprofit organizations focus on preserving the environment.
    • Nonprofits may encourage community wellness through physical activity.
      By: sneksy13
      Nonprofits may encourage community wellness through physical activity.
    • Nonprofits can use social media to boost awareness about a cause.
      By: gemphotography
      Nonprofits can use social media to boost awareness about a cause.
    • Nonprofits often rely on volunteers to complete many jobs.
      By: WavebreakmediaMicro
      Nonprofits often rely on volunteers to complete many jobs.
    • Nonprofits often focus on people in the community who feel marginalized.
      By: Lisa F. Young
      Nonprofits often focus on people in the community who feel marginalized.
    • Non-profit organizations typically employ grant writers.
      By: bramgino
      Non-profit organizations typically employ grant writers.
    • Nonprofits may oversee charity events.
      By: Monkey Business
      Nonprofits may oversee charity events.