SOCIAL SERVICES & NON-PROFITS

Have questions about working or interning in nonprofits or social services? Schedule an appointment in Handshake with Kelli Robinson, the Matthews Center Career Advisor who serves as the office's primary point of contact for this area.

What does working in nonprofits mean? 

Terms that reference types of nonprofits include nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), social impact, philanthropic sector, charitable sector. 

Characteristics of a nonprofit include: 

• Mission-driven

• Self-governing

• Organizational structure includes a board, volunteers, donors and staff members

• Independent and private

• Benefit the public 

Nonprofits exist to address and raise awareness or provide services related to many different areas. Examples of different areas could include: 

• Advocacy/community development 

• Animal welfare

• Arts & culture

• Education 

• Environment and conservation 

• Foundations, grant-making organizations 

• Health & science 

• Human/social services

• Religious organizations

• Social justice 

Nonprofit job titles & options

• The Balance: Nonprofit Careers: Options, Job Titles and Descriptions

• Indeed.com: 140 Nonprofit Job Titles to Consider

Prepare for Working in Nonprofits

Working in nonprofits means more than just saying you want to help, and there is more involved than searching for job postings. 

1. Self- assessment is essential. What topics are of interest to you? What skills do you want to utilize? Knowing the answers to these questions can help you decide what area of nonprofits may be a good fit for you. 

2. Networking is essential. While important for every job seeker, networking and career conversations are critical for those wanting to work in nonprofits. Most roles are found through conversations with others rather than on-campus recruiting or job postings. It’s just how the nonprofit job search works. 

3. Experience is essential. Volunteering, internships or campus/community involvement all help you gain exposure to different tasks/duties, develop different skills and meet others who share similar interests.  

Davidson Programs/Resources 

• Center for Civic Engagement: The Center for Civic Engagement (CCE) provides many volunteer, internship, fellowship and other experiences with local nonprofit and community organizations. Many organizations working in a variety of different topic areas offer opportunities through CCE. You can find a list of current opportunities at this site. 

• Sustainability Scholars: A summer program that places selected students with Charlotte-based nonprofit organizations focused on community-scaled sustainability. 

• Religious & Spiritual Life Opportunities:  Internships, fellowships, overseas pilgrimages and more. The Davidson College Religious and Spiritual Life office provides many different opportunities across a variety of settings. 

• Davidson Impact Fellows Program: Connects graduating seniors with nonprofit organizations hosting one-year, full-time paid fellowship opportunities

Internships, Fellowships and Jobs

National

• Dean Rusk Center for International Studies: International Nonprofit Resources List: A comprehensive list of international nonprofits and resources for learning about international organizations and opportunities. Many are focused in the area of international development. 

• Experiential Fellowships and Service Corps Programs: Information on one- and two-year service and fellowship programs for national and international opportunities.

• Foundation List: 24 Nonprofit job boards

• Idealist: Comprehensive resource in social service/nonprofit internships and volunteer roles, jobs, and graduate school programs. 

• Nonprofit Career Network: Complete one-stop resource center for the job seeker or nonprofit employer.

• Nonprofit Jobs: Gathering place where not-for-profit employers and management personnel can meet one another from around the world. Lists a variety of job opportunities in the nonprofit sector.

• Nonprofit Times: Leading business publication for nonprofit management. Provide job listings and a wide variety of resources and news related to the nonprofit world.

• Philanthropy News Digest: A great resource for philanthropy-related news but also includes a job board featuring full-time job openings at U.S. foundations, grantmaking public charities, and nonprofit organizations.

• Social Justice in Action: List of organizations that work on behalf of social justice issues. 

• The Chronicle of Philanthropy: Provides information, news, resources and job opportunities.

• Work for Good: National online job site, HR resource and career development destination focused exclusively on the nonprofit community.

• Volunteer Match: "Matches" individuals to organizations worldwide for a variety of nonprofit and social sector volunteer positions.

North Carolina-focused/Charlotte-focused 

• North Carolina Center for Nonprofits (Membership Directory)
  This site can be used to locate nonprofit organizations by name, county or category. Compile a list of organizations that you can contact for networking, volunteering or internships. 

• Share Charlotte

• United Way of North Carolina (County United Way organizations). Visit each county’s site to find partner nonprofit organizations in that area you can contact for networking, volunteering or internships.

The Betty and B. Frank Matthews II ’49 Center for Career Development welcomes requests for reasonable accommodations related to disability and strives to make this resource accessible to participants. Please contact careers@davidson.edu if you require further accommodations.