Nonprofit

Brief Overview

Nonprofit organizations are businesses designed to make change, and not in the monetary sense. Granted 501©(3), or tax-exempt, status by the government, these organizations focus on a wide variety of causes, including everything from the Africa Fund, which promotes human rights, education, and people-to-people exchanges with African countries, to the National Breast Cancer Foundation. Many nonprofit interest groups are located in Washington, D.C., where they lobby government on behalf of their causes. Others have offices near state legislatures, where they lobby for the passage of legislation favorable to their causes.

Nonprofits derive their operating revenues from foundations, government grants, membership dues, and fees for services they provide. They typically attract people who are passionate about solving social problems; the big upside of working in this sector is that you can make a positive impact on behalf of your organization’s cause; the downside is that most jobs in the nonprofit sector don’t pay as well as corporations.

Nonprofits and charitable organizations are becoming much more entrepreneurial, learning lessons from the private sector about how to operate more efficiently and do more with less by adopting marketing techniques to enhance their fund-raising efforts, or even starting their own small businesses to help generate income to fund social programs.

Learn more about the industry and research specific companies on the Vault and WetFeet

Non-Governmental Organizations

Non-Governmental Organizations (NGO’s) are nonprofit organizations that operate on an international level. The following link lists NGO’s who work with the United Nations.

http://www.ngo.org/links/index.htm

Helpful Tips

There are multiple career opportunities available in this sector including internships in marketing, finance, public relations, and administration, as well as providing direct social services. Although internships are available in nonprofits, volunteer work can also provide valuable hands-on experience and build your resume. Many nonprofit organizations attend our Winter Career & Internship Fair and application deadlines are typically in the spring.

Service related internships are also available through the Center for Social Concerns

Internships offered through the Washington Program offer multiple opportunities in the field. Although positions posted on Go IRISH are for fall & spring, many of the participating organizations offer summer internships.

Bureau of Labor Statistics

The Vault

Internship Links

Develop Your Own Internship

Students can also contact employers directly to create internship opportunities.

Networking

Tips for networking with family, friends, and Notre Dame alumni. Learn how to obtain access to the Irish Online alumni database.

Professional Organizations

Professional organizations provide excellent contacts for networking and informational interviews. In some cases they may post jobs and internships on their websites.