Georgia Nonprofit Executive Jobs & Leadership Guide
Georgia runs one of the largest nonprofit economies in the Southeast, and it is heavily anchored by Atlanta, home to some of the best-known national and global organizations in the sector. If you want to lead a mission-driven organization in the Peach State, this guide maps it: the sector’s size, what leadership pays, the major employers, and where to find senior roles across Atlanta, Savannah, and the rest of the state.
- The IRS lists about 58,277 501(c)(3) organizations in Georgia (IRS / ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer / Cause IQ).
- Georgia’s tax-exempt sector reports well over $110 billion in annual revenue, concentrated in metro Atlanta and driven by large hospital systems, universities, foundations, and national organizations headquartered in the state.
- The sector is Atlanta-led: many national HQs sit in metro Atlanta.
- Average nonprofit Executive Director salary in Georgia: $111,433, typical range $96,382 to $124,057 (Salary.com, Georgia, July 2026).
- National and global organizations headquartered in the Atlanta area include CARE USA, Habitat for Humanity International, The Carter Center, the American Cancer Society, and Boys & Girls Clubs of America.
- The state’s largest nonprofit health systems include Piedmont Healthcare, Wellstar Health System, Northside Hospital, and Grady Health System.
The Georgia Nonprofit Power Map
Georgia runs one of the largest nonprofit economies in the Southeast, and it is heavily anchored by Atlanta, home to some of the best-known national and global organizations in the sector. The state’s tax-exempt sector reports well over $110 billion in annual revenue, concentrated in metro Atlanta and driven by large hospital systems, universities, foundations, and national organizations headquartered in the state.
Sector figures: IRS / ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer / Cause IQ, Georgia. Revenue estimates vary by source and methodology; Georgia’s tax-exempt sector reports well over $110 billion in annual revenue, concentrated in metro Atlanta and driven by large hospital systems, universities, foundations, and national organizations headquartered in the state.
What Nonprofit Leadership Pays in Georgia
Nonprofit Executive Director compensation in Georgia averages $111,433, with a typical range of $96,382 to $124,057 (Salary.com, Georgia, July 2026). Metro Atlanta and the largest institutions pay above this range; smaller and rural organizations pay below it. See the Atlanta and Savannah guides for local benchmarks.
| Role | Georgia Benchmark | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Executive Director / CEO | $96,382 to $124,057 (avg $111,433) | Salary.com, GA, 2026 |
| Source: Salary.com, Georgia, July 2026. Metro Atlanta and the largest institutions pay above this range; smaller and rural organizations pay below it. Benchmarks for other senior roles (COO, CFO, Chief Development Officer, program and development directors) should be confirmed against Cause IQ / Form 990 data for comparable Georgia organizations before you rely on them. | ||
Top Nonprofit Employers in Georgia
A starting list of anchor organizations. Use the directory links below to find specific Georgia nonprofits and their 990 data.
National & Global Organizations (metro Atlanta)
CARE USA
National / Global Organization · Metro AtlantaHeadquartered in the Atlanta area. One of the best-known national and global organizations anchoring Georgia’s nonprofit sector.
Habitat for Humanity International
National / Global Organization · Metro AtlantaHeadquartered in the Atlanta area. A national and global organization anchoring the state’s mission-driven leadership market.
The Carter Center
National / Global Organization · Metro Atlanta
Headquartered in the Atlanta area. One of the best-known national and global organizations in the Georgia nonprofit sector.
American Cancer Society
National / Global Organization · Metro Atlanta
Headquartered in the Atlanta area. A national organization anchoring metro Atlanta’s concentration of nonprofit headquarters.
Boys & Girls Clubs of America
National / Global Organization · Metro Atlanta
Headquartered in the Atlanta area. Among the national and global organizations that make metro Atlanta the center of gravity for the Georgia sector.
Healthcare
Piedmont Healthcare
Nonprofit Health System · Georgia
Among the state’s largest nonprofit employers.
Wellstar Health System
Nonprofit Health System · Georgia
Among the state’s largest nonprofit employers.
Northside Hospital
Nonprofit Health System · Georgia
Among the state’s largest nonprofit employers.
Grady Health System
Nonprofit Health System · Georgia
Among the state’s largest nonprofit employers.
Education & Community
Emory University
Higher Education · Georgia
A major nonprofit employer in the state.
Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta
Philanthropy · Metro Atlanta
A philanthropic anchor for the Georgia nonprofit sector.
United Way of Greater Atlanta
Federated Philanthropy · Metro Atlanta
A philanthropic anchor for the Georgia nonprofit sector.
Nonprofit Leadership by Region
Atlanta Metro
Center of Gravity
The center of gravity for the sector. See the Atlanta nonprofit executive jobs guide.
Savannah & the Coastal Empire
Coastal Market
A distinct coastal market led by human services, the arts, and higher education. See the Savannah nonprofit executive jobs guide.
The Wider Southeast
Regional View
For a regional view across neighboring states, see the Southeast nonprofit executive jobs guide.
Recruiters & Search Partners for Georgia Nonprofit Leadership
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1
ExecSearches.com
Nonprofit executive job board, career coaching, and search support. Post a Georgia role or browse senior openings.
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2
Georgia Center for Nonprofits (GCN)
The statewide association, for sector connections, training, and its job board.
- IRS / ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer, Georgia, searchable 990 filings. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/states/GA
- Salary.com, Georgia Nonprofit Executive Director Salary (July 2026).
- Georgia Center for Nonprofits (GCN), statewide membership, training, and job board. https://gcn.org/
- ExecSearches.com. https://www.execsearches.com
Browse Nonprofit Jobs Across Georgia
Key Career Resources for Georgia Nonprofit Leaders
Directories & Sector Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
The IRS lists about 58,277 501(c)(3) organizations in Georgia, and the state’s tax-exempt sector reports well over $110 billion in annual revenue, concentrated in metro Atlanta.
Statewide the average is about $111,433, with a typical range of $96,382 to $124,057 (Salary.com, July 2026). Metro Atlanta and the largest institutions pay above that range; smaller and rural organizations pay below it.
Metro Atlanta hosts national and global organizations including CARE USA, Habitat for Humanity International, The Carter Center, the American Cancer Society, and Boys & Girls Clubs of America, alongside major nonprofit health systems such as Piedmont, Wellstar, Northside, and Grady.
Start with ExecSearches.com for senior nonprofit roles and the Georgia Center for Nonprofits job board, and see the Atlanta and Savannah guides for local markets.
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