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According to recent statistics, almost 11% of the U.S workforce works for a not-for-profit organization. When we think about
not-for-profits, we often limit our perspective to a few well known organizations in our community or a few issues like
homelessness or the arts. There are a vast array of different organizations and opportunities to explore that will require
thought and research on your part as you consider or begin a job search.
You will be most successful if you can narrow your field of targeted organizations based on your interests and skills. Just as
you would not say "I am looking for a job in ANY business", you should not feel that you are looking for a job in ANY not-for-
profit. Consider the wide variety of organizations and issues involved in the broader not-for-profit sector:
- Arts and Cultural
- Education
- Social/Human Services
- Health - Disease and Disability-related, Hospitals, etc.
- Other – Housing, Environmental, Animals, Econ Dev
- Schools and Educational Institutions
- Operating Foundations - who raise funds and run or fund specific programs
- Grantmaking Foundations - who distribute funds
- Associations (Trade, Service, Chambers, Greek, Professional)
- Churches, Para-church and other Religious Organizations
common myths of working for a not-for-profit
You can’t make a living wage – This one is both false and true, depending on your area of expertise and the
organization that you work for. Many of the lower paying positions in the not-for-profit community are also low paying
positions in for-profits – home health aides, direct service, etc. It is also true that many smaller not for profits count on staff
member’s passion for their mission to stretch financial resources. But on the other side, it is now common for top
management and fund development positions to pay in the high five figure or even six-figure salary range. While it is true
that you won’t ever have equity or be an IPO millionaire, you can make a professional income.
The pace is slower and expectations lower than the business world – While some not-for-profit organizations
convey a more relaxed work atmosphere, similar to many small businesses, there is still considerable responsibility and
activity necessary to meet the needs of various stakeholders. Even more than a business, the not-for-profit Executive must
take responsibility for employees, donor/funder relations, and looking out for the interests of the people they exist to serve.
Every year, the staff is faced with providing more services to more people – often for the same amount of money, or less.
By definition, not-for-profits exist because there is limited direct economic value to the services provided – so when funding
declines, options are limited and pressure becomes intense.
People are grateful to receive the services your organization provides – While we might expect that working for a
not-for-profit would put us in a position of receiving the praise and gratitude of many people, you may be surprised to find
the opposite is often true. If you go to work for a cultural organization, much of your feedback will come in terms of – “ we
would really be good if we ...”. If working in a human services role, you often find that people are so focused on their own
issues or misfortune that they dismiss even common pleasantries or may take a view of entitlement, obligation, or
embarrassment. Board members and other volunteers expect to be thanked and recognized for their own efforts, so they
are not focused on recognizing your work, either.
This is an opportunity to really take charge of an organization – Some people move into a top management position
in a not-for-profit organization expecting it to be much like the role they played in business. You will see a couple distinct
differences – 1) you now make many decisions as part of a group, whether Board or staff - the not-for-profit world is one of
consensus decision making, and 2) you, as an Executive are always ON, always responsible to the Board, staff, donors,
funders, members, service recipients, ticket purchasers, sponsors, etc. This applies in the board room, at the grocery
store, the health club, and even dinner out on special occasions.
If I could get a position at a Foundation, I would love to give money away – what fun! Many people see the “fun”
side of working for a foundation and miss the incredible responsibility and effort involved in this work. If this seems
interesting to you, spend some time with current program officers or foundation execs and have them tell you about their
jobs. You will hear about not-for-profits who can’t put credible proposals together, long hours doing research and
assembling funding plans for foundation board approval, frustrations with foundation boards that change their approval
criteria or objectives mid-stream. You will also hear that they feel that they are having a very significant impact on a field
that they love. There are many times more people looking for these positions than there are opportunities available.
Everyone who works in the not-for-profit sector loves their work and is happy to be there – It is truly exciting to
be part of an energized, healthy not-for-profit that is focused and successful in delivering its mission. Unfortunately, too
many organizations are not healthy, or not focused, are constantly short of funds, or have developed difficult, political
cultures. When you are interviewing for a position, look for energy and openness in the culture and ask to speak to other
staff members to get their perceptions of working for the organization.
Not a Myth - It’s worth it!! - It is not a myth that many of the most exciting and energizing careers available are made in the
not-for-profit sector. While many businesses make the world a better place through their research and business efforts,
virtually every not-for-profit in our community is focused on making a better life for specific individuals and the community at
large.
When you survey the landscape across Indianapolis, you see organizations that teach adults to read, help everyone to
appreciate art, train people for new jobs, prepare the leaders of tomorrow, support communities of faith, heal the sick and
injured, cloth the unfortunate, and provide a listening ear or place of refuge for a person in trouble – Indianapolis is a
community that cares, and YOU are already an important part of it, what’s your next move?
Bryan Orander
Charitable Advisors and Not-for-Profit News
