Climbing the Ladder at Nonprofits
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Published February 21, 2010 Veronica Nolan loves serving youth and changing their lives; she’s been working with young people since she graduated from the University of Virginia and taught Spanish in public schools. Today, she combines her passion with advanced education and a certificate in nonprofit management from Georgetown University to serve as executive director for Urban Alliance, a youth development nonprofit in Washington, D.C.The Work: Helping youth is just one way to serve others. Nonprofits need strong leaders to help them complete their missions. National and international trade and professional associations, museums, foundations and small and national policy organizations all need good managers at middle and top levels. Milton Little has worked in nonprofit and public policy jobs for more than 25 years, including a stint working for former New York City Mayor Ed Koch. He’s now president of United Way of Metro Atlanta. The Need: Little says the outlook for nonprofit jobs is good, and that as long as legislators and policymakers ensure that public resources “are expanded for public good, there will be a need for talented and committed policy specialists.” The IRS said there were more than 86,000 associations and one million charities and foundations in 2004. With baby boomers retiring, more manager and executive jobs should open up at nonprofits. Skills: Strong leadership, public speaking, interpersonal and fundraising skills come in handy. “It helps to have vision and see the big picture, but you also can’t forget the details,” Nolan says. Expertise in the nonprofit’s field is an advantage. Or, you might just have a knack for management and for developing projects and relationships, skills Celeste Terry says are important for her job as assistant executive director for a community foundation called the United Black Fund of Greater Cleveland. She sees her role as “chief visionary” – another important quality for nonprofit executives. Training: Most nonprofit management jobs require a degree or solid experience, but there’s no single route to follow. Marketing, management and business courses or degrees should serve you well, but working your way up in one or more nonprofits may be necessary. Skill at fundraising comes in handy. In addition to certificates like the one Nolan earned, the American Society of Association Executives has a certified association executive program. If you want to reach the top levels, it can’t hurt to keep learning. Ups and Downs: Nonprofit managers typically feel a great sense of personal satisfaction in their work. “I love the reaction of people who visit,” Judi Feniger, executive director of the Maltz Museum of Jewish Heritage in Cleveland, says. She held just one other nonprofit job before landing her museum management position. “Our members, volunteers, staff and guests are terrific and I appreciate the chance to work and interact with them.” Little adds, “I love the opportunity I have to help people and communities in need.” But with this satisfaction comes long hours, he says, and the difficulties of “trying to solve the problems at the root cause instead of just dealing with the symptoms.” Nonprofit budgets usually are tight. Constant fundraising is a fact of life, says Nolan. “I don’t know of a single executive director who doesn’t stress about annual fundraising goals,” she says. Terry says that tight budgets help her express her creativity; the tight marketing budget “forces you to become creative and use new media opportunities to tell your story and get results.” Pay: The pay varies depending on the type of nonprofit, funding sources and geographic location. In general, look at typical salaries and benefits for managers and executives in the area and consider that most nonprofits pay less. The Way There: Know your strengths and weaknesses, Feniger says. Little says to start local and then move your way up. Nolan says to start at a position other than executive director. “That will help you understand all the aspects of working in a nonprofit.” - Written By Teresa Odle |