Non-Profit Workers [Archive]

Photobug

07-01-2005, 06:37 AM

Are there any other non-profit workers out there? I sometimes feel all alone when everyone is talking about their $100,000 salaries and weeks and weeks of vacation time and other benefits. Am I the only sap who works for peanuts because I truly enjoy what I do? :D

DH is in non-profit, too - he's director of a community center and I work at a living history museum. So we're broke, but happy. ;)

Anyone else?

msnicolea

07-01-2005, 07:59 AM

Not currently, but I hope to return to it once my DH finishes school. I miss having a job I truly LOVE, regardless of the pay. I spent several years as the program director of a group home for teens--my dream job is to be the Director of a Boys and Girls club!

JBB

07-01-2005, 08:35 AM

I'm a geriatric social worker! I don't make much, but I love my job, and I love going to work!

IrishMeg

07-01-2005, 10:13 AM

I sometimes feel all alone when everyone is talking about their $100,000 salaries and weeks and weeks of vacation time and other benefits.

Ditto! I have never worked in anything but non-profit so I completely understand what you are saying. I left child welfare this year and now in work for a community mental health agency. I work with kids from ages 3 to 17.

sueandalvin

07-01-2005, 11:12 AM

I worked in non-profit for four years. Actually went back to being a lawyer so I could work less hours. :eek:

I miss it...I loved doing it but it is hard on family life.

aussie

07-01-2005, 12:45 PM

I have worked in the development department for various fine arts organizations for eight years and couldn't imagine doing anything else.

macgirl

07-01-2005, 01:34 PM

I'm a social worker with a non-profit adoption agency. I absolutely love my work, but I made more as a child welfare worker with just my bachelors degree. Luckily DH's job keeps us afloat, because I could never afford to live in the SF bay area on just my salary.

JRose

07-01-2005, 03:02 PM

I was in non profit before I quit to be a SAHM. DH works non profit too. We are used to long hours, little pay and even less gratitude.

I'm volunteering with the sexual assault program for the county and would like to pursue that as a career when I return to work.

MLA

07-01-2005, 09:42 PM

I work for one of the big 7 orchestras. We have a huge budget, but we're non-profit, as evidenced by my paltry salary. :rolleyes:

I love it, but I work my butt off. DH and I are actually planning to move from SoCal to North Carolina, so I don't know if I'll stay in non-profit arts. I know I'd like to work less than I do. Every week is at least a 6 day week now, and often they're 7 day weeks (and each day is usually more than 8 hours). It's just too much -- especially since we want to have children in the next couple of years.

smiles33

07-02-2005, 03:21 PM

I was the first ED of a start-up nonprofit for nearly 3 years, which started off as a dream job but got overwhelming once I married DH and wanted a personal life (similar to SueandAlvin though I chose not to go back to practicing law). So I left for university/law school administration, which I still consider the public sector since I'm definitely not making what I could in the private sector but it seems to be in between the two, because it has a more formal "bureaucracy" that reminds me of what private sector jobs must be like.

It's been over a year now and I still love this job--it has the best aspects of my nonprofit job, like working with young people to promote public service and help better the world around us, and some great features that my old nonprofit job lacked, like more resources (I have a real desk, not a laminate wood cast-off donated to my old nonprofit, and I can actually order things I need).

I don't miss much from my old job, other than occasionally thinking about how I had much more independence and flexibility (but that came at a VERY high price).

mimieliza

07-02-2005, 03:34 PM

I'm starting a new job with a non-profit that has a state contract to provide mental health services for the county. I'm a social worker, doing case management for people with severe and persistent mental illness.

I worked for the state before this, and one reason I switched was because the private non-profit is so much more flexible than the state. I'll have more opportunities for advancement, and if I have a baby I can go down to part-time.

As a social worker, I will most likely always work for either non-profit or government agencies.

honeygirl

07-03-2005, 08:11 PM

Count me in. I'm a social worker doing therapy with children and families. I love what I do and switched over from working in the government (child welfare). That job paid better but had crazy hours and was extremely stressful. My job still has stress, but more flexable hours. I am fortunate that my DH does NOT have a non-profit job, he is the opposite. So I can follow my dreams and not worry about the bills :)

al'sgirl

07-04-2005, 07:42 AM

I work for a not-for-profit as well. It's so wonderful to work at a place that you actually *care about what happens all the time. Even though the job can be stressful and more volume of work than one person can handle comfortably, I love it. My DH works in the same organization, so the take-home $'s aren't really high in our household ... but we are happy :)

daener

07-05-2005, 02:14 AM

I recently made the switch to non-profit and I love it! It does really make a difference to me to work for an organization that does good things in the world. My co-workers impress me every day with their dedication to our mission and their level of commitment is just amazing. I am very lucky in that my salary is still pretty good - although significantly less than in a similar job in a corporation - and my benefits are so much better than at my last job. But I am discovering that work-life balance may suffer in the long run. Which I am comfortable with since I have a habit of working long hours, and working for an organization I believe in makes it worth it. I may change my tune a few years down the road, but I'm still on my employment honeymoon at the moment ;) .

apoppy

07-06-2005, 03:13 PM

I've worked in non-profit development & communications for the last ten years, in a variety of organizations. Although I have loved many aspects of my work, especially my kind and talented co-workers (most of whom were extremely over-qualified for their jobs), I will admit that the low pay, long hours, and high volume of work has been overwhelming at times. In fact, I left my previous job due to stress-related illness brought on by work. Now I am on the hunt for the perfect job---one that doesn't require 14 hour days, 7 days a week.

sportyj

07-09-2005, 10:30 PM

I have to agree the long hours are the worst. While I adore what I do at my NP I have a very hard time seeing DH work ONLY 40 hours a week with flex and make 4 TIMES MORE THAN ME!!! Yes 4 times. I work at least 48 hour weeks, and any little thing that comes up that bothers me is always answered with "well, you know...we ARE a non-profit" so they act like they can get away with a lot more. I have to be honest, I want out. I will stick around a bit more but I feel taken advantgae of, this is my first experience with a NP and it has not been a good one. Even though I am in love with what they do...its a tough situation.

MLA

07-10-2005, 09:00 AM

sportyj -- I totally understand where you're coming from. I work really long hours (way more than 40 per week), and even though I'm lucky enough to be paid overtime, DH still makes way more than me for working way less. It's not always easy to swallow, but for right now I'm happy. . .

smiles33

07-10-2005, 10:58 AM

sportyj, I know how you feel and I, too, hate when people use the lame response, "Well, we are a nonprofit." That's not a reasonable answer, even if that is some justification for why things are the way they are.

I would much prefer someone answer, "Well, our foundation grant is expiring in June and because of the uncertainty in funding, we have to hold off on any new expenses, including office supplies."

As for the pay, it will never be nearly enough so I have always had to remind myself that it's still higher than what many of our clients make. Plus, the non-monetary compensation is unmatched by any other job (at least in my opinion).

Can't really do much about the long hours, but I found that government/universities can be more reasonable than the small nonprofit I left a year and a half ago, and still offers a rewarding mission that I believe in.

jeeplover

07-24-2005, 11:45 AM

Well I too am part of the non-profit sector. I basically have been my entire working career!

I am a nutritionist for a food and nutrition program governed by the state and federal authorities. I was looking online today for jobs since we will be relocating soon and it just amazes that someone with my qualifications could work elsewhere and make so much more money but still within in the government agency if that makes any sense at all! What is up with that!

singerwife

07-27-2005, 08:05 AM

Me too! I dipped into policy work briefly, but have otherwise worked in development/administration at nonprofits for the past 12 years. Social services and now arts administration.

Low pay, cool title, flexible (but long) hours, funding stress, and I get to wear jeans to work. That about sums it up.

RileyMom

07-27-2005, 08:16 AM

Me too!

I work in a NP agency who receives funding and oversight from the State. We provide supports to adults and children who have developmental disabilities (mostly MR and autism) and some have co-occuring mental illness. I am a Staff Development Coordinator.

I worked in State Government for 15 years, and resigned just as I was getting long-gevity pay. I couldn't stand the rigidity, politics, and favortism that went on any longer. Flex time was non-existent, people were promoted who were basically useless, and people generally didn't give a rat's behind about their work, just concerned about griping about how hard they worked (NOT) and how to get ahead.

I like the flexible schedule I have now, and the small "family" atmosphere. While there are still some politics here, there is really a sense from everyone that they are committed to our vision and what we do. There is also a whole lot less red tape and paperwork when you want to do something. I am fortunate that I only work 34-35 hours a week. I do know that there are others who work longer hours though.

pocket

07-28-2005, 05:53 PM

I work at an international development aid np in public sector fundraising. It's intense, and they don't pay me enough but I really like my co-workers, my long vacation and my full infertility coverage. Plus I like knowing that there's more to what I do than just helping some rich dude get even richer.

jnettie

09-04-2006, 07:20 PM

Hey, me too! I work for a college, which is non-profit, but I've worked for various other arts organizations, all non-profit.

Actually, I did a search on this topic because I've got a question pertaining to non-profits, so I guess I'll just piggy back it here:

I've been toying with the idea of starting a non-profit group to help new costume designers. The idea would be to provide a source of help for productions with very small budgets, as well as internship opportunities for students.

I just don't know where to begin. I'm in the research phase right now, and I have a few friends who are in the same field that I'd like to talk into joining me in my edeavor, but otherwise, I'm clueless.

TIA!

endymion411

09-04-2006, 07:56 PM

i am doing an internship with an np doing work with human trafficking victims, so i'm getting paid less than peanuts--nothing :p eventually i hope to do this work for at least some pay

IrishMeg

09-05-2006, 08:14 AM

That sounds like very interesting work, Endymion411! :)

daener

09-06-2006, 05:09 PM

A question for my fellow NP employees....someone mentioned in an earlier post that all of their co-workers are overqualified for their jobs. This is definitely the case with most of the people in my department (Communications), and am curious as to whether that's the norm in NP?

A second question: have any of you dealt with the problem of a lack of promotional opportunities? I've been at my job about 18 months and am ready to move up...problem is, there is nowhere to be promoted to due to the very flat hierarchy in our organization. Additionally, my entire department was hired around the same time and we are all way, way overqualified for our current roles so I'm not seeing any chance for promotion. Something that is beginning to bother me as I feel I'm going to have to let go of my professional ambition to stay in NP. Anyone else with a longer NP tenure experienced this? If so, how did/do you deal? Any suggestions?

Thank you!

kindermom

09-06-2006, 05:49 PM

Promotion Opportunities: I think it depends. My last 2 jobs have been with large national associations. The last NP I was with was TOO hierarchical but they really only hired for higher positions from the outside. So despite their being room to grow, they did not encourage people to grow. Therefore there was a pretty high turnover rate. (FWIW, it was a poorly run NP).

My current NP is run more like a business and while it is more flat than the last NP, there is alot of room for growth. They stress employee development and movement within the organization. In the 1.5 years I have been there, I have seen 3 of the 12 people in my department get promoted. There have been opportunities for me as well but I really like my position.

Overqualified Staff: In my past 2 NPs, that has NOT been the case.

PG-rated

09-07-2006, 02:20 PM

A second question: have any of you dealt with the problem of a lack of promotional opportunities? I've been at my job about 18 months and am ready to move up...problem is, there is nowhere to be promoted to due to the very flat hierarchy in our organization. Additionally, my entire department was hired around the same time and we are all way, way overqualified for our current roles so I'm not seeing any chance for promotion. Something that is beginning to bother me as I feel I'm going to have to let go of my professional ambition to stay in NP. Anyone else with a longer NP tenure experienced this? If so, how did/do you deal? Any suggestions?
I've been with my current org 5 years now, and I've run into the same problem. I was excited to be here at first, since my branch makes a practice of promoting from within, but then I got promoted twice in my first 3 years, and how there's nowhere else for me to go. I asked for more challenging assignments and was told flat-out that I wouldn't get them, since first dibs go to people who've been here longer, in order to justify their higher salaries. :mad: And I'm in a fairly specialized field, so there's not much chance of making a lateral move, plus I'm really with the best org in this field, anyway. I'm currently considering a move to the gov't agency that runs our main grant.

As for being overqualified, I was absolutely overqualified when I was hired. Now I think I'm just a good match for my position. Unfortunately, if I were to try to make a lateral move of some kind, I'd be competing against others who were overqualified, so I'd be at a disadvantage. :rolleyes:

njdiva

09-08-2006, 02:04 PM

I also have worked for a national non-profit health organization for the past 5 years. After making the transition from for-profit to NP... I have no regrets. I do agree the organization may seem relatively flat when looking for a career growth within the organization... but the org that I work for has taken this into consideration and created various development avenues for the staff.

Why have I stayed - I like what I do and know that I am ultimately making a difference....

shellbell516

09-09-2006, 06:05 PM

I've been working for a non profit research company for the past 7 years.

christy1010

09-13-2006, 05:21 PM

I too am a geriatric social worker for a not for profit! I have worked for both not for profits and for profit organizations and I think there are benefits and disadvantages to both. Currently I like my job and the organization.

MLA

09-15-2006, 03:26 PM

I work in non-profit arts. I used to work for the LA Philharmonic, and despite the long hours, I LOVED my job. Having moved to NC, I've taken a job at a smaller organization -- it's not as much responsibility, and honestly, I hate it. Luckily, though, I was just offered the position of Executive Director of a small arts organization out here, and I think I'm going to take it! I'm very excited. :D

maxandmolly

09-15-2006, 03:55 PM

I work for a large-ish non-profit that identifies as being religious in founding but has lots of non-religious programs, like the one I work in. It's......different. I've done government before, and then private sector corporate crap. The office culture is definitely different. And the promotional oppurtunities will be limited. But that's ok, I knew that going in.

Regina Phalange

09-15-2006, 04:30 PM

I also work for a national NP. As for the promotion opportunity....when I started working there 3 months ago it was a pretty flat organization: my boss, my bosses boss and then the chapter President. As of today, it's even flatter....my boss and the chapter President. I'm thinking there is no opportunity to promote from within here which is okay with me right now because I'm fresh on the scene. I do see it being a problem in the future though.

colz85

09-15-2006, 07:14 PM

Can't believe I missed this thread when it started. I work in public radio...definitely non profit! I really think that those of us who work in NP eventually have no idea what people in "real jobs" are paid. I was talking to our former engineer today who said at his company, an engineer just out of college will start at around 52K.

Yeah. After 14 years in my field, I'm STILL not there!

I like what I do, I'm good at it, I've been advancing all through my career, but the next step would be station manager, and I do NOT want to do that! But I'd also like to make some $$.....

shouldaeloped

12-17-2007, 10:39 AM

bumping for a quick question.

is there a specific job board where non-profit companies post their open positions? our local humane society where I volunteer needs a new director and I don't think that Monster or careerbuilder will cut it.

thanks in advance!

apoppy

12-17-2007, 10:51 AM

Try idealist.org (http://www.idealist.org/) or Nonprofit Oyster (http://www.nonprofitoyster.com/).

On the West Coast, Opportunity Knocks (http://www.opportunitynocs.org/) is really good, and in some areas of the country Craigslist can also be a good option.

shouldaeloped

12-17-2007, 11:49 AM

awesome! thank you so much apoppy!

artist

12-17-2007, 04:41 PM

The state you live in probably also has a specific website. For example, in Minnesota that would be the Minnesota Council for Nonprofits. They have a website where they have listings for all sorts of jobs. I am sure other states have something similar.

shouldaeloped

12-17-2007, 05:36 PM

thanks artist. I'll check that out too.

scorpioanne

12-21-2007, 07:36 PM

I work for the local Sexual Assault Centre which is a community based organisation. Unlike what some of you had mentioned, we only work 30 hours a week but unfortunately get paid accordingly. I have a Master's and don't make any more money than our admin assistant as it is a feminist collective. I love my job tho and have been with the centre for 18 1/2 years. I supplement my income by teaching as a sessional lecturer at the University for the Faculty of Social Work (which I also love).
More money isn't enough to get me to work elsewhere, my job is so satisfying I can't imagine leaving it.

pewee9196

12-28-2007, 05:30 AM

I technically do but I tend to forget that I do. I am getting ready to switch careers and I am really struggling going corporate or nfp. I am the primary breadwinner so I don't think we can handle the pay cut. On the other hand I want what I do to make a difference.

mgrace

03-11-2008, 10:22 AM

mgrace

03-11-2008, 10:24 AM

Me too! I dipped into policy work briefly,
What sort of policy work did you do?

smiles33

03-11-2008, 12:02 PM

Because of the flat hierarchy at most nonprofits, I find that the only way to "move up" is to move to a larger organization that might offer more benefits and/or higher pay. Not that helpful if you love your current org, but something to think about long-term if you're committed to being in NFP.

Yvangeline

03-14-2008, 09:59 AM

Question for any therapists, social workers, clinicians out there... especially ones who work with kids: do you know where I can find one of those emotion charts/posters - you know, the ones that have cartoons or photos of faces showing different emotions, with the names of the emotions underneath the faces? I would really like to find one online that I can just print out.

Thanks!

CindyLouWho

03-14-2008, 10:12 AM

The Humane Society also has a job opps link. Plus you can try AFP (Assoc of Fundraising Professionals) which will have ED positions, and you could see if your local community Foundation has a job link.

scorpioanne

03-14-2008, 03:06 PM

Yvangeline

03-15-2008, 10:09 AM

Thanks, scorpioanne! :)

KiKi'sMommy

03-15-2008, 12:10 PM

I used to work in non-profits until I got pregnant with my DD. Then I worked for two years as a secretary, which was even more frustrating because I have a college degree and felt like I was not using it AT ALL. But, the daycare where I worked was on-site and VERY good, so it was a trade-off. Then when my DS was born, I decided to stay home. When I do go back to work, it will be for an organization that I truly have a passion for their mission. Non-profit work is hard, has long hours, and does not pay very well at all. It my experience, we all had to pitch in and do each others jobs (which wasn't a bad thing, but totally exhausting at times) and in a lot of cases, the management was not well trained in actually managing people. I think a lot of non-profits struggle because they are full of people with passion, but not much hardcore business experience and they are competing in a world full of corporations and businesses. Man, I sound bitter! I really do love helping people, but I think I have had more than my fair share of negative experiences that have tainted my views.

berry

08-30-2008, 01:57 PM

I've been in corporate world for 10 years (while volunteering and working part-time in non-profit arts world). I'm starting to interview for positions in non-profit in my area. How do I go about finding out what salary range might be for full-time positions?

I'm applying for positions in development and pr/community relations.

I have interviews next week and would appreciate any/all advice. Thanks!

KiKi'sMommy

08-30-2008, 09:49 PM

Call your local library. They should have resources to help you find out salary ranges.

ETA: You might also contact your local United Way office. Tell them you would like to break into the non-profit field, but you need to know what to expect in terms of salary ranges.

Dizzy

08-31-2008, 04:49 PM

Guidestar (http://www.guidestar.org/) has a lot of information about non-profits.

berry

09-01-2008, 04:09 PM

Thanks so much for the advice, esp. on this holiday weekend.

smiles33

09-01-2008, 09:24 PM

Re: salary levels, I'd check out job announcements on nonprofit job websites like www.idealist.org, www.opportunityknocks.org, www.philanthropy.com (Chronicle of Philanthropy), etc.

Keep in mind the salary ranges sometimes differ according to the organization's budget (e.g., under $500K annual budget usually means lower salaries than over $1 million budget).

Good luck!