![\"tweet](\"https:\/\/www.wildapricot.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/tweet-this-nonprofit-worldb61f16adcb0f43d8b53ff64a8e1c3e67.jpg?v=0\" "\\"tweet")
<\/a><\/p>\nIf you\u2019re just starting out in the nonprofit world<\/a>, a good understanding of what you\u2019re getting into can help you pick up speed and succeed right away. To help you out, I sought the advice of Shawna, and a dozen other nonprofit pros (many from a fantastic Facebook Group called The Nonprofit Happy Hour<\/a>) about what they wish they knew before entering the nonprofit world. Here are the 24 things they hammered home.<\/p>\n *Name changed to protect privacy<\/p>\n Even the most financially sound organization can go through tumultuous times. Funding sources, policy, and conditions can change quickly \u2013 affecting organizational priorities. Being comfortable with career ambiguity is key for comfortably working in nonprofits.<\/p>\n Nonprofit work is known for its mission-driven core. Sometimes achievement comes with pushing yourself and your team to its limit. Flexible, lifelong learners who can take on multiple roles are ideal candidates for nonprofit work as job descriptions change as quickly as the weather.<\/p>\n Many people thinking about working at a nonprofit are worried about the salary. When you begin your search, make sure you understand the financial footing of the organizations you\u2019re interested in working for and manage your income expectations accordingly. And don\u2019t forget, even if it is your first nonprofit role, you still have the opportunity to negotiate your salary<\/a>.<\/p>\n Many people believe nonprofit work is low-paying, under-resourced, time-intensive, hands-on-helping-people work, or spending all day at luncheons with the upper crust asking for donations. But, from the International Red Cross to a local membership association, the nonprofit sector is as diverse as they come. Some nonprofits are chaotic and fast paced, while others are structured more like corporate jobs. Either way, don\u2019t make assumptions about working for \u201cnonprofits;\u201d instead, get acquainted with the diversity of opportunity in the nonprofit world and do some research on your target organizations through salary and employee review sites, like Glassdoor<\/a>.<\/p>\n Belief in the nonprofit mission is important, but understand that the mission of the organization and the internal culture can be vastly different<\/a>. \u201cNo matter how much you love dogs and cats, working in an animal shelter may not be the right choice for you if you aren\u2019t comfortable with some of the practices associated with reducing pet overpopulation,\u201d said Holly Harper, a former animal care tech at the Oregon Humane Society. The same is true for the culture of the organization \u2014 seeking to work in a traditional humanitarian nonprofit may seem like a perfect fit for your passion of international development, but a large, bureaucratic organization may move too slowly if you\u2019re geared more toward a startup setting. Assess both the organization\u2019s practices and internal culture to make sure you\u2019ll feel comfortable on the team.<\/p>\n In 2016, when the Obama administration implemented new overtime pay policies<\/a>, many nonprofit organizations pushed back. Why? Because nonprofits are known for maximizing return on investment in resources \u2014 from welcoming free labor (volunteer!), welcoming free goods (donate!) and capitalizing on the \u201cpassions\u201d of their mission-driven employees. From paperwork to bureaucratic red tape to funding woes to salary cuts, the nonprofit world can be ripe for burning out employees. Remember: work is just work sometimes, and you need to take care of yourself, too.<\/p>\n If you want to advance your nonprofit career, start pushing yourself out of your comfort zone from Day 1, and develop a thick skin. Start with figuring out which sector of focus you\u2019re specializing in, and find an organization to help you with further training through online courses, seminars, or by taking part in more casual learning opportunities, like reading blogs or listening to podcasts, or webinars as you have time (here are some great nonprofit webinars to get you started<\/a>). More formal training, such as university programs in nonprofit management<\/a>,\u00a0or professional nonprofit designations<\/a>, are something to consider as well.<\/p>\n Whether it\u2019s an online community, a co-worker, a membership organization, or using your board to network your way into a traditional mentorship, find a mentor (or more than one. Start with following these nonprofit experts on Twitter<\/a> to get a regular feed full of great advice.<\/p>\n Unlike the for-profit world of dollars and cents, working in nonprofits means explaining what a donor\u2019s return on investment looks like in terms of impact and change. Being articulate, passionate, and convincing are skills any nonprofit leader should build. Look up your local Toastmasters<\/a> organization, an international club for improving your communication and public speaking through supported practice.<\/p>\n Fundraising, grant writing, marketing, volunteer management \u2013 there are dozens of specialties inside of the nonprofit sector, depending on how large or small an organization is. If you\u2019re focused on fundraising and event planning, but aren\u2019t cut out for grant writing, be sure to choose the right size organization to suit your goals.<\/p>\n From working with the board to volunteer management to fundraising, building relationships is everything. Who you know, how you manage your relationships, and how you treat others are far more important factors than what you do. Respectful, helpful, and collaborative relationships will open doors to new contacts, conversations, and opportunities.<\/p>\n Just like the corporate sector, nonprofit organizations need IT professionals, database managers, facilities managers, and pretty much every other job description that one would find in the for-profit sector. So if you really want to help \u201cfeed the hungry,\u201d it doesn\u2019t necessarily mean soliciting donations or serving meals. The food bank needs accountants, too.<\/p>\n Working with a board has unique challenges<\/a>. By understanding as much about each board member as possible and developing those relationships, you\u2019ll be able to more effectively create meaningful dialogue, effect change, and build committed leaders<\/a>. For example, by knowing your incoming and sitting board members well, you can pair the newcomers with a \u201cboard buddy\u201d whose personality will be a good fit for conversations and working-style.<\/p>\n Every organization needs solid management with good people skills. The difference in the nonprofit world is the lack of hierarchy. To get people to do what you want, even when you\u2019re not their boss, you\u2019ll need to learn valuable skills of \u201cmanaging up<\/a>.\u201d Additionally, keeping donors\u00a0and volunteers coming back for more requires a different set of relationship management practices.<\/p>\n People love to share their own organizational story to win over a prospective donor or volunteer, but that\u2019s all wrong. People like talking about themselves, so to set yourself apart, focus on listening. By having a conversation where you do less of the talking and instead try and and look for ways you can help provide resources or help the person you\u2019re talking to<\/a>, you\u2019ll demonstrate your value. Make a note about the conversation. Collect the person\u2019s contact information. Assess how you can help this person or connect them with something or someone who can (even if it has NOTHING to do with your organization: they like marathon running and you just saw a coupon for 50% off running shoes, shoot them an email!). Now you\u2019ve started a relationship. Maybe they\u2019ll send a thank you response, and they\u2019ll be more likely to RSVP \u201cyes\u201d to your next event \u2014 eventually you\u2019ll win a supporter for the long haul.<\/p>\n By casting the net wide, you have more likelihood for finding what your organization needs.<\/p>\n Volunteering for a nonprofit organization is often front-of-mind when people speak with nonprofit employees. Don\u2019t be afraid to test the waters for an in-kind gift and learn about driving participation<\/a>.<\/p>\n There are dozens of LinkedIn groups<\/a>\u00a0and Facebook groups<\/a>\u00a0for nonprofit professionals to network or find jobs. Or look for local MeetUps<\/a> (or start one!) to build a community of people to share ideas with.<\/p>\n One of the most recommended reading for fundraising professionals, Fundraising for Social Change<\/a><\/em> by Kim Klein, is a must-read for anyone pursuing a career in this specialty. Once you\u2019ve read Klein\u2019s work, another way to \u00a0keep your skills up to date is to join your regional Association for Fundraising Professionals<\/a>.<\/p>\n The moment where you give a desired donation amount, often called\u00a0\u201cthe ask,\u201d\u00a0can be the hardest part of a fundraiser\u2019s job. You\u2019ve hosted the informational breakfast, touted the mission of your organization, proven your impact, and now you are putting a price tag on it. If you go to a large donor without laying the foundation for \u201cthe ask,\u201d through proper prospecting, research, and effective presenting, you\u2019re likely to come up short. As you build your network, support your organization and your team with solid research and lead management software<\/a> to ensure you\u2019re making the right asks to the right donors at the right time.<\/p>\n There are instances where the donor and the ask come together in unexpected ways. Be prepared before each meeting or event with a strategy for making a donation request\u00a0when the opportunity knocks. If you need help with your ask, here\u2019s a fantastic full guide on how to do it.<\/a><\/p>\n From relationship building to relationship maintaining, the work of a fundraising professional is never done. If you need some help, here are eight great ways to better engage your donors<\/a>.<\/p>\n Whether it\u2019s donors, board members, members, volunteers,, or others, a service mindset should always come first. Delivering stellar service, with sincerity, to everyone who interacts with your organization will work wonders for your organizational culture and personal mindset. You reap what you sow.<\/p>\n Once you merge your\u00a0personal drive with a best-fit organizational culture and focus, prepare for a boost in job satisfaction. Seeing the impact of your work helping others really does feel great.<\/p>\n With all of these challenges, why do people keep pursuing careers in nonprofits?<\/p>\n Because they\u2019re totally worth it.<\/p>\n \u201cNow that I know what it\u2019s like working for a nonprofit, I\u2019ll never go back to corporate or government if I can help it,\u201d Shawna said. \u201cIt\u2019s a lot of thankless work, but also a ton of really satisfying work. And never, ever have I learned so much about my own capabilities than I have working here. I just have had an amazing opportunity to learn new skills in real time.\u201d<\/p>\n Shawna\u2019s reflection also pairs nicely with that of another seasoned nonprofit professional.<\/p>\n Lynne Wester, the Donation Relations Guru<\/a> gives this advice to anyone entering into the nonprofit world:<\/p>\n \u201cBe prepared for resistance to change,\u201d and \u201cThe real reward isn\u2019t in the salary or accolades \u2013 it\u2019s in the work. The people you will work with are among the most wonderful individuals in the world. Be grateful for the opportunity to know and learn from them.\u201d<\/p>\n24 Things I Wish I Knew Before Entering the Nonprofit World<\/h2>\n
1) Instability as the Norm<\/a><\/h3>\n
2) Limited Resources Demand Unlimited Effort<\/h3>\n
3) Understand Salary Expectations<\/a><\/h3>\n
4) Don\u2019t Assume Anything About Nonprofits<\/a><\/h3>\n
5) Step Back from Your Personal Passions to Avoid Burnout and Ensure You\u2019re Being Treated Fairly<\/h3>\n
![\"Nonprofit](\"https:\/\/www.wildapricot.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/membership-growth.jpg?v=0\" "\\"Nonprofit")
<\/a><\/p>\n6) Know That Not Every Day Is Meaningful<\/a><\/h3>\n
7) If You Want to Move up, You\u2019ve Got to Learn More<\/h3>\n
![\"Free](\"https:\/\/www.wildapricot.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/free-best-nonprofit-softwared4acfe233c074c299e5b709c83d376e3.jpg?v=0\" "\\"Free")
<\/a><\/p>\n8) Get a Mentor<\/h3>\n
9) Practice Public Speaking<\/h3>\n
10) You Can Specialize (If You Want To)<\/h3>\n
11) Relationships Are at the Core of Most Nonprofit Work<\/h3>\n
12) Don\u2019t Sell Yourself Short If You Aren\u2019t a People Person<\/h3>\n
13) You\u2019ll Spend More Time Than You Think Working with the Board of Directors<\/h3>\n
14) You\u2019ll Need to Learn to Manage up and over and Sideways<\/h3>\n
15) Networking Isn\u2019t Talking; It\u2019s Helping<\/h3>\n
16) Have Everyone on Your Board Introduce You to Five People They Think You Should Know Who May Have Importance to Your Organization<\/h3>\n
17) Never Be Afraid to Ask Someone to Work for Free<\/h3>\n
18) Network Online and Face-To-Face<\/h3>\n
19) Fundraising Requires a Skill Set You Must Study and Practice<\/h3>\n
20) Fundraising Is More Than \u201cThe Ask\u201d<\/h3>\n
21) Be Prepared For \u201cThe Ask\u201d at Any Time<\/h3>\n
22) Once You Get a Donor on Board, You\u2019ve Got to Learn How to Keep Them Engaged<\/a><\/h3>\n
23) Always Lead with Mission and Be Passionate<\/h3>\n
24) Prepare to Love Your Job<\/h3>\n
It All Comes Down to This<\/h2>\n
Helpful Resources If You\u2019re Just Starting Out:<\/h2>\n
\n
Additional Resources:<\/h2>\n
\n