Back in September, I wrote the post, “Is Switching To the Nonprofit Sector the Right Choice For You?” It generated many comments – all saying it is worth making the switch. Since then, through my work as a recruiter, I’ve spoken with many seeking to switch into the nonprofit sector. Some have successfully managed their searches and have [...]
In my recent posts, we’ve been talking about making a switch from the for- profit sector to the nonprofit sector. We’ve looked at what you need to ask yourself before making the switch, and we’ve outlined some of the practical steps you can take to make a move.
There is good reason beyond seeking a mission driven career to consider making a move to work in the nonprofit sector. Despite the economic downturn of the last two years, the sector continues to grow. In 2000, the number of nonprofits was about 800,000. By 2009, the number hit 1, 238,201! Nonprofits employ close to 10% of the country’s workforce. Most nonprofits are small – two thirds have budgets less than $500,000, but the top 5% have budget of $10 million or more.
Thanks to such people as Bill Gates, Warren Buffet and Angelina Jolie, philanthropy and nonprofits now enjoy a glamorized reputation. I can’t count the number of times a disaffected accountant, investment banker or lawyer has said to me that they now dream of working for the Gates Foundation.