From For-Profit to Nonprofit: Discovering Purpose for Your Skills
The nonprofit sector needs talented and skilled professionals like you–arguably even more than the for-profit world. Professionals who plateau in their careers often journey from the for-profit to the nonprofit sector to rediscover fulfillment in their working lives. Because of this, nonprofits must ensure workplace success by investing in competitive salaries and benefits for qualified editors, copywriters, marketing experts, web developers, accountants, and more. So, why not use your expert skills to empower a cause you believe in? GrantWatch has compiled a list of nonprofit grants dedicated to developing the workforce.
Enriching Nonprofits with Your For-Profit Skills
A nonprofit’s real value is determined by calculating its social impact. Above all, a highly skilled staff working in tandem with dedicated volunteers is the best recipe for creating a real-world impact. That is where you come in. In truth, nonprofit job titles are a little different than what you’ll find in the for-profit world. For example, nonprofit development is actually fundraising. Most professional skills are transferrable to the nonprofit sector. For example, do you have a background in human resources or project management? You could transition to Volunteer Services Director. This position is responsible for maintaining a high-quality workplace to ensure volunteer retention. Are you a motivated salesperson? Apply to be a Fundraising Manager. Is your degree in graphic design? A well-designed brand builds credibility with donors. Once you discover nonprofit positions you are qualified for, the next step is to find a cause you are passionate about.
Finding A Cause That You Believe In
The success of a nonprofit is related to how dedicated the team is to its mission. Understand a cause before you switch career paths. Volunteering is a good way to discover a new passion for a cause. Volunteers often learn new skills, and it’s important to encourage mentors to provide performance feedback. Furthermore, volunteering provides networking opportunities with like-minded individuals. Research shows that the value of a volunteer hour is $33.49. Because of this, it is important to identify your transferable skills. Once you find a cause that speaks to you, bring your professional skills to a place where your value is based on fundamental causes beyond dollars and cents. To hear from professionals, like Adam Helman of Guest House Chicago, who have journeyed from the for-profit world to the nonprofit sector to make a real-world impact, visit GrantTalk; an informative and uplifting podcast hosted by GrantWatch CEO Libby Hikind.
Grants to Support Your Journey from For-Profit to Nonprofit
For most professionals the transition from the for-profit world to the nonprofit sector is practically seamless. Grant funding can support individuals on this journey. Additionally, when nonprofits offer competitive benefits and salaries, skilled professionals feel encouraged to make the switch. After all, a living wage is essential. Nonprofit directors can apply for workforce development grants that cover training, education, salaries, and more. For the best results, see the example grants below and dedicate time each week to researching and applying for grants.
- Grants for Workforce Development – Grants to increase employment through high-wage job creation. Funding is for workforce development in industries including creative arts and design, marine and life sciences, and financial services.
- Research Related to Economic Mobility – Grants for research projects addressing economic mobility. Funding is for the design and implementation of research related to career and workforce development, entrepreneurship, and college access and completion.
- Support to Black-Led Nonprofits, Black Artists, and Collectives for Career Advancement – Grants up to $15,000, grants of up to $20,000, and in-kind support to Black-led nonprofit organizations and Black professional artists and collectives in eligible regions for career advancement activities.
- Funding Empowering Women in the Workforce – Up to $10,000 to women-owned small businesses. Funding is for businesses that are majority-owned by women and are to be used for specific projects that will impact the business’ profitability and growth.
- Working with Youth to Train Volunteers – Up to $10,000 to benefit youth and improve volunteer training. Funding is for career and workforce development, volunteer retention, and recruiting new volunteers.
- Nonprofits to Benefit Residents – Grants to nonprofits for human services, entrepreneurship, housing, and economic and workforce development.
- Grants to Foster Economic Mobility – Grants for long-term projects to support entrepreneurship, career and workforce development, and college access and completion.
- Workforce Development Programs – Up to $3,000 to volunteer fire departments in rural areas for workforce development. Funding assists volunteer fire departments in enhancing staff recruitment and improving community fire protection.
… business-people can be benevolent. For example, studies show that more than 90% of current Harvard Business School students are on the boards of a variety of nonprofit organizations. And polls … suggest that the overwhelming majority of those students will stay meaningfully involved with nonprofits after graduation … four-fifths of all HBS graduates are involved with nonprofits, with more than half serving on boards. And when you exclude graduates in their early career-building years … the numbers jump even higher. It seems that volunteerism and community activism are still deeply rooted in America. And that’s good news.
Don’t Assume the Shoe Fits by F. Warren McFarlan
by F. Warren McFarlan
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