In 2019, the United States will experience the largest number of corporate employees successfully transitioning into nonprofit jobs, foundation jobs and the philanthropic and nonprofit sector that ever before.
The landscape is changing. In 2018, executive recruiters and human resources professionals saw more cross-over candidates from the for-profit sector become successful candidates and land new not-for-profit jobs more than any other year over the past thirty years. The needle has moved. Even more are expected in 2019 and 2020.
Historically, it has not been easy to simply slide over and start working at a nonprofit, even if you had been working at the most sought after for-profit corporations. To make the big switch to nonprofit leadership candidates still need to be have been volunteers in the past, or sat on a board or two. But for the first time, being driven by the need for technology innovation, and marketing gurus to implement development plans, nonprofit boards and executive directors are puling the trigger on more tech/for-profit experienced talent than ever before.
There is somewhat a panic for organizations with aging and declining membership and donor bases who are desperate for people claiming to have answers for the changes in the competitive market; they have the baby boomer donors blues.
These organizations are all asking themselves, (in a panic) quick, how can we reach the “young people?” They want to be told stories of engagement driven from impactful Facebook and Instagram campaigns, and stories of how to use twitter to drive PR strategies. They are searching for what many organizations seek; and answer in the form of a shortcut and simple solution.
For an increasing number of organziations it is clear that new benefits and engagement programs need to be created that attract a wider array of membership and supporters. Technology is not the answer alone, without use of proven development tactics and individual engagement that will drive people to rally behind you. Know your story, and know what makes people feel the full power of your impact.
Many leaders in the nonprofit sector have forgotten that. Thus, more and more organizations seek a technological answers to fix their failing, or stagnant development numbers. Instead, of looking at what made them successful in the first place: amazing events, stories of hope, reasons for programatic change, and great PR to drive the public to want to support your unique mission.
So remember, use social media to drive volunteers, outreach, and community engagement, but don’t forget about the past….its a dangerous lesson to forget what made us great in the first place.
Nonprofit Jobs and Foundation Employment Nationally:
According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics nonprofit jobs account for 12.3 million jobs, 10.2 percent of private sector employment. This is a sizable percentage of the overall workforce that equates to one in ten jobs being at a nonprofit nationally no growing.
“The District of Columbia had the highest percentage of nonprofit employment, 26.0 percent. Vermont, Maine, Massachusetts, New York, and Rhode Island also had high shares of nonprofit employment. Nevada had the lowest share of nonprofit employment, 2.7 percent. Texas, Alabama, and South Carolina, each had less than 6.0 percent of private employment in nonprofit organizations.”
“Ask yourself the secret of your success. Listen to your answer and practice it.” – Richard Bach