Nonprofit Management

There has been a steady increase in the hiring of MBAs in Non-Profit Organizations. Not without reason. Increasingly non-profits want to apply sound management principles to the resources that they are entrusted with. From a career perspective, non-profits are a great place to work as they offer a candidate an opportunity to solve social problems with their skills. By virtue of the MBA, the candidate has already learnt to tackle complex issues and breaking down a problem into smaller parts, a skill that can be put to use while working for a non-profit. Clearly there is a lot of opportunity for MBAs to transform organizations basis their rich learnings and gaining a lot in turn. With professionalization of the non-profit sector continuing, it will continue to generate a host of employment opportunities for candidates looking for mission driven careers.

Qualification needed for a career in Nonprofit Management
Increasingly more and more Non-Profits are looking at hiring MBAs. This trend is only going to increase with the growing complexity of the business. A MBA in Non Profit Management is therefore a great place to start one’s career in this industry. A MBA in non-profit management not only offers candidates a host of managerial skills but imparts them specifically from the perspective of a non-profit, thereby making the candidate a great fit for the organization. With non-profits being expected to do more with less, the sector can clearly do with qualified management graduates.

Skills needed for a career in Nonprofit Management

• Passion for the organization’s mission and a genuine desire to contribute one’s own time and effort to realize it is a must.
• The tenacity to work for a cause, finding a cure for breast cancer, providing disaster relief, or improving education.
• Ability to pitch in on a variety of responsibilities, from fundraising and organizing volunteers to tracking expenses and completing paperwork.
• Know how to work collaboratively, but also be a leader and a self-starter.
• Previous volunteer or internship experience at a charity or non-profit.
• Analytical and critical thinking skills
• Ability to oversee employees and volunteers, manage payroll and budgets, use computers and manage the day-to-day operation of an office.

Career Hierarchy in Nonprofit Management
Candidates can work in the capacity of consultants, program directors, analysts, executive directors or researchers. Some of the roles that the candidates can aspire for in a non-profit organization along with their brief job description are as below :

•           Director of Programs: The role includes effectively utilizing and managing the budget to implement the program. They have to lead efforts to identify and build a portfolio of local Partner organizations, maintain strong relationships with current Partners and develop new relationships with local organizations

•           Director, Marketing and Communications: Maintaining the main role and position of a communication expert within the Non-Profit segment and work towards networking.

•           Head of Finance and Administration: Leading an internal team in areas such as finance, planning and budgeting, administration

•           Development Director: It deals with developing and/or recommending detailed financial operating plans on a program-by-program basis and on an overall organizational basis for ultimate approval by the Board of Directors.

• Chief Executive Officer: The role involves overseeing the organization, staffing, and operation and management of programs. It includes developing and administering programs to achieve its missions and responsibilities.

Pros of a Career in Nonprofit Management
Working in the Nonprofit Management segment can be really rewarding. Utilizing ones skills to make a difference to the lives of people that can be very motivating. Typically candidates looking for a career in the non-profit sector attach a lot of premium to job satisfaction. Also, as most of the non-profits work in small teams, an individual is exposed to a variety of challenges that they have to deal with, be it managing the finance of the company or providing in-depth research about a cause, or going around for field study and also networking. Therefore the sheer exposure that every individual is bestowed with is enormous. That helps the professional to grow, rather it guarantees all round development of the individual in myriad ways. As a sector itself it continues to grow, in turn offering a host of growth opportunities. Candidates also grow with the presence of a more collaborative than a competitive environment. Besides this aspect, they are also great places to work in terms of job satisfaction and work-life balance.

Cons of a Career in Nonprofit Management
The only disadvantage that most professionals face while working in the Non-profit segment is that the potential to earn may be less than in the corporate sector. The segment does not pay as much as some of the roles in the private sector may pay. However this is not to say that people in the non-profit sector do not make money. As they work their way up, they do build wealth.

Who is a Career in Nonprofit Management meant for:
This career is meant only for those who are passionate about making change happen at the very grassroots level. They should have the tenacity to hold on to the cause and work for it, earnestly.

World’s top 10 Companies for a Career in Nonprofit Management

1. National Public Radio
2. United Nations Children’s Fund
3. Museum of Modern Art
4. Human Rights Watch
5. Green Peace
6. Doctors Without Borders
7. Kiva
8. Feeding America
9. Council on Foreign Relations
10. Samaritan’s Purse