RSS
Home
Tips on beginning a career in philanthropy
Print
Email
RSS
Subscribe
Image courtesy of Stock Exchange
So, you’ve decided to take the plunge and leave corporate America to take the plunge into the nonprofit sector.
Or, maybe you’ve recently graduated from college and decided that you’d rather spent your days fundraising and marketing for a worthy cause.
Regardless of why you've decided to pursue a career in the nonprofit sector, I want to applaud you and tell you that I completely understand! After three years of working in pharmaceutical advertising, I decided that I would rather use my talents in a nonprofit marketing role.
I’ve learned a few things during my job search process and thought it’d be great if I shared them with you!
What's the best way to find out about available positions?
I suggest that you visit the following websites for information...
- Npo.net - An online resource for Chicago's nonprofit and philanthropic community. It serves as an electronic gateway to nonprofit related websites and information. NPO.net gathers content from a wide range of organizations to connect nonprofits, experts, supporters and individuals interested in the sector. They also have a job board where you can find listings that may not appear on more general career sites.
- Careersinnonprofits.com - This company is the only full-service recruiting firm which focuses solely on the nonprofit sector. They have listings for temporary, part-time, and full-time opportunities.
- Careerbuilder.com, Monster.com, Hotjobs.com - These are your typical career search websites. From the drop-down categories, select “Nonprofit” jobs and fill in any keywords applicable to the type of position you would like (i.e. marketing, media, fundraising).
Also, if you volunteer with any organizations or are interested in a specific one, head on over to their website and check for any open positions! The nonprofit community is a tight knit group so don't be afraid to get out there and network. You're bound to run into somebody who knows somebody who's looking to fill an available slot.
What type of skills are helpful for a career in philanthropy?
Well, depending on the size of your organization, you may be required to wear many hats. It will be helpful to have great skills in organization, communication, and teamwork. You need to be able to seamlessly work with donors and internal program staff. You should have great writing skills in case you are asked to develop collateral materials, such as brochures and press kits, or craft letters to send to potential donors.
As far as technical skills are concerned, knowledge of a word processing and spreadsheet program is crucial. Some positions also require a working knowledge of Raiser’s Edge. Raiser’s Edge is a donor database program used to track fundraising and development activity. Blackbaud, the maker of the software, occasionally offers training sessions in Schaumburg. Visit Blackbaud.com for more information and upcoming dates.
You can also pursue a graduate degree or professional certificate at one of our local universities. The University of Chicago, Northwestern University, and North Park University are just a few schools with programs designed for professionals already in or entering the nonprofit sector.
Are there organizations out there which support individuals working in philanthropy?
Yes! That’s the great thing about being in Chicago. Our city offers many great resources for working in the nonprofit sector. Check out these websites for career seminars, workshops, and other helpful information!
Association for Fundraising Professionals - Chicago Chapter
Young Nonprofit Professionals Network - Chicago Chapter
Donors Forum
I hope this article provides you with the foundation that you need to begin your journey into philanthropy! It’s a very rewarding line of work, and I wish you all the best in your job search.
-kb
Related Articles:
Comments
