Here's a space for professionals in nonprofit HR and volunteer management to share successes, discuss challenges, and find common ground.

i guess my question with a NP org is How to even start?
i know what i want to do - i just am coming up short with the how to's!
thanks

Hi nik - are you looking for volunteer opportunities? Paid positions? Best practices for HR or volunteer management? I'm happy to give some pointers if I can... Cheers!

OK Erin (or anyone!) ....

Here are is my issue!

If I was to go back to school and start all over with my career and my goal was to end up working for a N.P. what would you suggest as my field of study. I want to take a Bachelor's degree and am thinking of one that specializes in international social issues, government, politics and social problems.

Do you think I could find work overseas working for a NP? Or perhaps work at home here in Canada?

Let me know what you think!

Great question, Darren. There are a lot of fields of study that are good fits with careers in the nonprofit sector - everything from sociology to political science to environmental engineering to business with a focus on social responsibility. What I'd recommend is that you connect with a few organizations and/or individuals who are doing work you admire or would like to do yourself. Set up a time to chat with them and do an informational interview to learn more about how they got to where they are now, what did they study, what do they recommend, etc. If you want to connect with people internationally, consider asking the same questions by email.

If you'd like specific pointers on doing informational interviews, please email me at erinb@idealist.org and I'll connect you with my colleagues who are working in this area. Thanks and good luck (fyi - Vancouver is my favorite city on the planet!)

Hey folks...since this thread was originally intended for people already working in nonprofit HR or volunteer management careers, my colleague Meg just started a new thread to address great topics like Darren's. Check it out by clicking on "Nonprofit HR" at the top of this page and then selecting the topic "Finding a career in the nonprofit sector". Thanks!

Hi, I just joined here a few hours ago because my internship through college is looking to improve upon the HR depts of non profit organizations. I was wondering what are some things that could be improved and what are the roadblocks to a well running smooth HR program? Thanks an if anyone has vast knowledge of this subject please email me @ cbrengelman@naturalbridgetech.com

I have some questions regarding the tax implications of running a $0 non-profit. At the moment there is zero cash flow in our non-profit. That would be disappointing except for the fact that we are still less than a month old. This raises important questions for the few of us that do work for the non-profit. We would all love to be able to say that we'd gladly work for free, but can our time be seen as a donation to the non-profit rather than simply volunteer work? What tax implications would that have, both for those of us working for and the non-profit itself? Thanks in advance for any assistance you can provide.

Great question, Brad. I checked with a colleague who said that unfortunately a tax deduction isn't available and that it would have no impact on the tax-status of the nonprofit organization. For more info, he cited an answer in our Nonprofit FAQ here: http://www.idealist.org/if/i/en/faq/131-51. He also mentioned that you may want to check out this link: http://www.nonprofitissues.com/public/features/point/270.html?PHPSESSID=PQsnQDGM9alrIAFxLFKF. Hope this helps!

Hello, I'm really enjoying myself and getting what i want on Idealist. I am into HR Development - training an consulting. I wonder if anyone has got resources to support the initiative. I'll be glad and grateful if i receive any form of support regarding this. Cheers