Nonprofit Industry Guide

Many terms are used when referring to the nonprofit sector. These names include third sector, nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), charitable sector, social impact, and philanthropic sector. Common characteristics of the nonprofit sector include:

• The organizations are mission-driven.
• They are self-governing and have an organizational structure that includes a board, volunteers, donors, and staff members.
• They are independent and private.
• They exist to benefit the public.

Nonprofits address issues and focus on providing services in areas such as:

• Advocacy and community development
• Animal welfare
• Arts, culture, and humanities
• Business, professional, and trade associations
• Education
• Environment and conservation
• Foundations, grant-making organizations, and philanthropy
• Health and science
• Human/social services
• Religious organizations

Investigate Options

To discover what opportunities exist for the careers you’re considering, make time to learn about work that aligns with your interests. Take time to both expand your options and narrow your list as you learn more. You’ll be taking into account the things you know about yourself that influence you as you explore various career paths.

Resources for learning more about careers

Career Exploration Tools

• O*NET and Occupational Outlook Handbook – Search for and learn career information including professional environments, salaries, used skills, and educational requirements.
• What can I do with this major? – Connects academic majors to possible career paths, typical employers, and strategies designed to maximize career opportunities.

Examples of career opportunities in the nonprofit sector

Nonprofits design their positions based on the size of their organization and the needs of the populations they serve. In addition to the roles listed below, larger nonprofits often have communication staff, financial managers, and research or evaluation staff. See The Bridgespan Group for a guide that provides information on nonprofit/social sector job titles, as well as Net Impact to learn more about career options w/in nonprofit sector.

• Community Outreach Coordinator
• Community Economic Development Manager
• Foundation or Executive Director
• Fundraiser or Development Manager
• Grant Writer
• Social and Community Service Manager
• Social and Human Services Assistant
• Special Events Coordinator
• Volunteer Coordinator

Resources

News sources and books help you stay abreast of current news, changes and developments in your career areas of interest. Examples include:

• Alltop
• The Chronicle of Philanthropy
• Nonprofit Quarterly
• The NonProfit Times
• New York Times-Nonprofit Organizations
• The Idealist Guide to Nonprofit Careers for First-Time Job Seekers

Professional Organizations provide excellent resources for students, ranging from career development resources and student memberships to job and internship postings. Examples include:

• Alliance for Nonprofit Management
• Association for Research on Nonprofit Organizations and Voluntary Action
• Society for Nonprofits
• Young Nonprofit Professionals Network

Research

Conducting research can be a great way to get involved on campus, explore a specific academic topic, and work closely with faculty members and graduate students. The Undergraduate Research Support Office offers resources for getting involved in research both on campus and at other institutions- check out the “opportunities” page to explore options.

Research positions are often secured through identifying research currently occurring at Duke or elsewhere and reaching out to faculty members directly. Consider looking at the work of faculty members, and identifying funding for research opportunities through the Office of Research Support Funding.

Association for Research on Nonprofit Organizations and Voluntary Action
A U.S.-based, national and international association that connects scholars, teachers, and practice leaders interested in research on nonprofit organizations, voluntary action, philanthropy and civil society

      A few specific research programs available at Duke

• Bass Connections
  University-wide interdisciplinary research program
• North Carolina Education Research Data Center
  Provides researchers and the broader policy community access to the data that they need for policy-oriented research
• The Center for Advancement of Social Entrepreneurship (CASE)
  Prepares leaders and organizations with the business skills needed to achieve lasting social change
• Center for Strategic Philanthropy and Civil Society
  Researches, analyzes, and promotes philanthropy that consistently produces high impact
• The Samuel DuBois Cook Center on Social Equity
  An outstanding research hub devoted to the study of human disparity, especially group-based disparities
• Center for the Study of Philanthropy and Voluntarism
  Supports scholarly research on issues related to philanthropy and voluntarism

Internships are short-term opportunities for you to get experience in a particular sector of the health and life sciences. Many companies and organizations have formal, well-defined internship experiences, but you may find a valuable experience that doesn’t have internship for a title. Excellent resources to begin your search for positions include:

• Idealist.org
  A nonprofit resource that includes internships, jobs, and volunteer opportunities
• Internship Series Online
  3000+ organizations offering internships and summer jobs for students
• Handshake
  Duke’s source for internship and full-time job postings

Events are held on campus with various employers throughout the academic year. Check lists of employers attending to identify those who align with your interests in the nonprofit sector:

• Nonprofit & Government Career Fair
  Review this list to discover all career fairs promoted by the Career Center, both in-person and online
• Information Sessions
  Monitor the Handshake calendar to see when employers of interest may be holding information sessions, either on campus or virtually
• Georgetown University’s Government & Nonprofit Expo
  Duke students are invited to attend this annual internship and job fair in Washington, D.C.

Job, Internship, and Fellowship Resources

• Roddenberry Fellowship
  Funding to take existing initiative (e.g. campaign, organization) to the next level or launch a new initiative
• Idealist.org
• Internship Series Online
• Net Impact
• Office of Undergraduate Scholars and Fellows database
• Service Year
• Handshake