Colleges and Schools
Career Opportunities in the Nonprofit Sector
Growth in the nonprofit sector continues to outpace the rest of the economy, creating a variety of new management opportunities. With an M.S. in Nonprofit Management and Leadership from Walden University, you will have the opportunity to quickly take charge of your career and develop the skill set required to lead a nonprofit organization and have a far-reaching impact on your community.
- Between 1995 and 2003, nonprofit organizations experienced employment growth rates averaging 30%.
- As of 2005, some 1.5 million nonprofit organizations employed nearly 12.5 million workers, representing 10% of the total workforce in the United States. The Association for Research on Nonprofit Organizations and Voluntary Action estimates that by 2010 the nonprofit sector will represent 15% of the nation’s total employment.
- Not only is the nonprofit sector a sizable employer, but it has added jobs at a much higher rate than the rest of the economy. Between 2002 and 2004, the nonprofit workforce, including paid and volunteer workers, grew by 5.3%. By contrast, overall employment in the economy declined by 0.2 percent.
- Nonprofit employment grew even in regions of the country where overall employment actively declined.
Expand Your Career Options
- Many experts believe the nonprofit sector is facing an unexpected crisis in leadership, due largely to job attrition and an aging workforce. This crisis further fuels the increasing demand for qualified nonprofit managers. (“Crunch Predicted in the Nonprofit Sector,” Washington Post, March 3, 2008.)
- Choose from a range of nonprofit managerial careers, including
- Policy analysts
- Director of policy
- Government relations officer
- Program director
Reach Your Potential
An M.S. in Nonprofit Management and Leadership gives you the chance to prepare for a successful management career in a high-growth sector. Acquire the key skills required to provide your nonprofit with the leadership to meet society’s most complex challenges.
Except where noted, all nonprofit employment statistics cited in The Johns Hopkins Center for Civil Society Studies’ report “Employment in America’s Charities: A Profile,” 2006.
