Nonprofit Careers
Exploring Nonprofit Careers
Nonprofit organizations play an important role in the community. From providing and managing the delivery of services to addressing policy issues, individuals who work at nonprofits are a vital part of the communities they serve.
The nonprofit sector offers a wide variety of career opportunities in numerous interest areas, including:
- senior management (executive director, chief executive officer)
- programs and service delivery (program coordinator, project manager)
- development and fundraising (grant writer, donor relations)
- finance and budgeting
- human resources
Public administration is a critical component of careers in nonprofits as it focuses on effectively managing programs, delivering services to constituents, and optimizing the allocation of resources.
Education and Training for State and Local Government Careers
Rutgers SPAA offers Degree and Certificate Programs that provide current and future nonprofit professionals with competencies in important elements of nonprofit administration and management, such as leadership, budgeting, grants, resource development, and more taught by experts in the field.
- The undergraduate Major in Public and Nonprofit Administration, offered in person or online, prepares students for management and leadership roles across a wide range of careers spanning all levels of government.
- Courses such as Leadership in Public Service help students develop leadership skills that include communication, conflict resolution, change management, adaptability, problem solving, and team building in the context of public and nonprofit organizations.
- The Master of Public Administration (MPA) program, offered in person or online, provides the cutting-edge knowledge and professional skills needed for successful careers in government, the nonprofit sector, international organizations, and even the corporate world.
- Students in the nonprofit management track take courses in Principles of Nonprofit Leadership and Management and Nonprofit Budgeting and Financial Management to explore topics as applied to public agencies.
- Certificates and Training Programs provide opportunities for working professionals seeking to learn a specific topic or skill, or those looking to enhance their expertise without committing to a full academic degree program.
- The Nonprofit Management Certificate provides pre-career and in-career students with graduate studies in the area of nonprofit management and leadership.
SPAA Faculty Expertise
SPAA faculty provide expertise in Nonprofit Management and other issues of importance to the government sector through research and service to the field.
- Associate Professor Cleopatra Charles has explored nonprofit organizations and the relationship between governance decisions and financial preparedness in dealing with adverse circumstances.
- Associate Professor Lindsey McDougle researches voluntarism, philanthropy, nonprofit management, and social inequality, and how student participation in experiential philanthropy relates to several outcomes such as the expansion of foundation philanthropy and ultimately the strengthening of our communities. She is director of the newly established Rutgers Center for Nonprofit Leadership and Development housed at Rutgers SPAA.
Connect with Rutgers SPAA Alumni in Nonprofits
Learn how SPAA alumni are serving nonprofit organizations and what you can do with a degree from Rutgers SPAA.
Natasha Hemmings (MPA'16)
CEO, Girl Scouts Heart of New Jersey (GSHNJ)
As CEO, Hemmings holds the most senior leadership role with significant strategic and supervisory responsibilities for the second largest Girl Scout Council in the state.
LEARN MORE ABOUT: Natasha Hemmings (MPA'16) >
Roberto Muñiz (MPA'90)
President and CEO, Parker Health Group
As president and CEO of Parker Health Group, a charitable organization committed to serving older adults, Muñiz helps serve more than 10,000 older adults and their families each year.
LEARN MORE ABOUT: Roberto Muñiz (MPA'90) >
Resources for Your Career in Nonprofits
To find job openings in nonprofit organizations, visit job boards that specialize in nonprofit and public service careers, attend career fairs, and network with professionals in the field. For example:
- Job listings on Idealist include opportunities spanning a variety of nonprofits, social-impact businesses, and corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives.
- PublicServiceCareers.org features information on finding jobs, career advice, and information on degrees in public service and public affairs.
Professional associations seek to promote activities such as development, ethics, and training standards in order to protect both the professional and public interest. These organizations serve as great sources of information and networking within their fields, and often provide additional benefits to their members. For example:
- The New Jersey Center for Nonprofits is a high visibility, high impact leader, champion, convener, and resource for and about New Jersey’s nonprofit community.