Career Development | Mentoring | Social Networking

With the economy in flux and many large and small businesses slashing their workforces, nonprofits offer an excellent employment alternative. While they traditionally pay less than profit-driven companies, they offer other less-tangible benefits.

According to a recent study put out in partnership by Compass Point Nonprofit Services, The Annie E. Casey Foundation, MeyerFoundation and idealist.org (“Ready to Lead? Next Generation Leaders Speak Out”), the nonprofit sector attracts workers with “its promise of meaningful work leading to social change.” Money is less of a focus for these organizations. Missions and values are what count the most.

“If a person is  interested in serving others through a nonprofit, that person will likely find kindred spirits at that nonprofit — people who also want to make serving others their top priority. Working with such folks can be heaven on earth for many such people,” says Brad Roos, executive director of ZION Development Corporation, a Rockford, Illinoisbased Christian community development organization.