Nonprofit Courses

People who have a desire to make a difference with a community, a segment of the population, or an industry are best suited for roles in nonprofit work. It helps to have a passion for the type of work the agency does, whether it’s supporting people facing challenges, taking care of animals, or educating the public about health and safety. Individuals who work well in the nonprofit sector tend to have strong collaboration and communication skills. It also can be helpful to be a creative problem solver who thinks outside the box.‎

Common career paths for someone in the nonprofit sector include working for public or private charitable organizations, social advocacy groups, corporate giving programs, or industry-specific education organizations. Roles within these groups include leadership positions like executive director, office management, and program management. Members of community outreach teams and fundraisers work with the public. Other positions like grant writing typically take place behind the scenes.‎

Other topics you can study that are related to nonprofits include business management, finance, and communication. The specific courses you may consider taking may vary depending on the type of role you want to have in the nonprofit sector. For example, if you want to work in leadership, topics like strategic leadership, project planning, and leading people may be beneficial. You may also consider studying topics in the fields of social psychology, anthropology, and foreign languages.‎

Places that hire people with a background in nonprofit include corporations, schools, and government agencies. Companies that value social responsibility may choose to hire employees who already value social change or have specialized knowledge about an industry. People with nonprofit experience often are team players who bring their passion to work. Many of the skills you hone working in a nonprofit, such as networking and problem-solving, typically transfer over to roles in for-profit organizations.‎