How do I Become a Nonprofit Business Executive?
Becoming a nonprofit business executive requires all the skills of a for-profit business executive and some skills they don't teach you in business school. Business leaders participate in key roles in the nonprofit sector as board members, donors, and partners in nonprofit mission related projects. Few major business executives don't sit on at least one nonprofit board. Few, however, fully appreciate the differences between the jobs performed by a for-profit and nonprofit CEO. To become a successful nonprofit business executive you will need to acquire some specific skills.
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Things You'll Need
- Bachelor's degree in a related field
- Experience in some facet of nonprofit work
- Track record of fund-raising success
- Knowledge of nonprofit organizations
Instructions
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Becoming a Nonprofit Executive
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Get the right education. A college education is considered the minimum education level for even the smallest nonprofit organization. Your degree should be in a field related to the type of nonprofit organization you intend to work for. If you fancy a hospital, homeless shelter or children's home, you need a degree in health and human services like social work, sociology, psychology or a combination degree like pre-med and business. If you want to work for an environmentalist group, a biology or other life sciences degree is needed. If you want to work for an advocacy group, a legal degree comes in handy.
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Get some experience with nonprofits or related experience in the private or public sector. If you want to get into a nonprofit organization right out of school, plan on working on the front lines as a case manager, social worker, child care worker, researcher or program director for a few years. The other way to enter nonprofit administration is to volunteer for an organization or serve on a nonprofit board of directors. It's not unusual for nonprofit boards to select one of their own to replace a bad string of directors.
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Demonstrate that you have a talent for the job the nonprofit board wants done. If they want a team leader, you need to demonstrate that you can motivate people. If they want someone to clean up the finances, you need to have skill and a track record in financial management. If the board needs a fund-raiser, you should demonstrate that you can bring in the donations as a board member or volunteer.
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Gain a working knowledge of the organization or type of organization you want to work for. Read mission statements, vision statements, annual reports, newsletters and fund-raising letters. Go to websites that post the organization's annual IRS Form 990 and those of similar successful and unsuccessful organizations. Find out about the history of any organization you apply for a job with. Volunteer to work on a board of directors for the type of organization you'd like to work for and learn about the inner-workings of nonprofits first hand.
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Find an assistant director job first and get some experience under your belt. Prove you can be the big guy. Assistant directors often get really good on-the-job training in basic nonprofit management. Go to conferences and training workshops on the company's time. Often, they'll be happy to send you. Volunteer for some special jobs and prove you can bring a project home. You not only build up experiences, but also gain references who can vouch for your ability to lead and deliver. In the process you will come into contact with a lot of truly gifted leaders who will teach you a lot about this business if you'll keep quiet and listen.
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Tips & Warnings
Be prepared for a pay cut. Nonprofits are called that for a reason. Some nonprofit jobs pay very well, but because these organizations are fueled by donors, you will be expected to earn your pay and then some by supporters..
References
- Photo Credit Urban Business Woman 1 image by Ken Hurst from Fotolia.com
