Nonprofit Leadership

Strategies for success:

• Obtain leadership roles in relevant campus and community organizations.
• In addition to grant writing coursework, try to obtain actual practice in grant writing.
• Demonstrate knowledge and experience in a specialty area (e.g. public health, environment, urban issues).
• Research organizations’ values to find a good fit with yours. It is critical that you are knowledgeable about and committed to the work you’re going to do.
• Investigate term of service or service corps positions as a way to gain entry into the field. Internships and experiences are crucial.
• Consider earning a graduate degree for more job opportunities and advancement.
• Build a strong personal network through informal contacts. Political connections are helpful for appointed positions. Most agencies respond to professional connections.
• Explore application to government internship programs specifically for college students, such as the Pathways Program at the federal level.
• Plan on following a flexible career path to higher positions. Many people begin on the clerical or entry-level in order to gain experience and network.
• Many students of nonprofit administration intend to stay within the nonprofit sector, using their degree to prepare for and transition into leadership positions at organizations of all sizes as staff or board members, and perhaps even founding their own nonprofits.