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Step 1
Research local nonprofits by using the IRS's charity search at irs.gov/app/pub-78. You can narrow your search to find local nonprofits. Once you've found a few that look appealing, scour the web for articles or reviews about these organizations' community work.
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Step 2
Call the nonprofit organization of your choice to inquire about current employment opportunities. Next, stop by with a resume. Along with traditional work references, include information about your volunteerism, an important indicator of nonprofit and charitable enthusiasm. Even if the organization is not hiring, many are willing to keep applications on file.
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Step 3
Get involved volunteering. Most nonprofits utilize a composite workforce of volunteers and paid staff. If you can't land a job at the nonprofit early on, volunteering is a good way to get your foot in the door and build some good references within the organization.
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Step 4
Consider working for a larger nonprofit organization. Smaller nonprofits will not be perpetually hiring, so you can't always expect a job on the spot. Larger nonprofits often have a greater need for employees and opportunities for advancement. While the larger organization may seem faceless and less locally involved, your employment will earn you nonprofit vocational experience as well as a steady paycheck while you wait for a job offer from a localized, community-based nonprofit. As an example, Goodwill Industries is a huge nonprofit, typically hiring at many locations. Goodwill is a stable organization and a good nonprofit starting point.
