Mulberry Talent Partners Hiring Best Practices for the Non Profit Sector
Nonprofit sector positions are some of the most highly coveted and transitioning corporate experience to the nonprofit sector can be very rewarding. Working towards a greater good renews the purpose of many. It can also be a difficult position to source. Idealism can only take a candidate so far. We have deep expertise in identifying and securing top talent in the nonprofit sector. Our expertise lies in identifying and securing top talent in the nonprofit sector. In this comprehensive guide, we share our best practices for hiring in this vital field, ensuring you build a team that drives your organization’s mission and impact.
Nonprofit Sector Industry Overview
The Nonprofit sector addresses societal issues, provides services, and supports communities in ways the for profit and government sector do not. Professionals in this sector advance causes, fundraise, and managing programs that align with an organizations mission, but finding professionals that are an organizational fit for a nonprofit can present challenges. First, there are budget constraints. Second, nonprofits infrequently have inhouse HR to handle hiring and ensure for culture fits. Lastly, also due to budget constraints, nonprofits may not have access to regular job boards.
For these reasons, Mulberry Talent Partners is often tapped by Pacific Northwest and National nonprofits to help find the right talent for an organization.
For these reasons, Mulberry Talent Partners is often tapped by Pacific Northwest and National nonprofits to help find the right talent for an organization.
Who are we hiring? For what?
Nonprofits need specific roles from fundraising to grant writing, but there are also roles that make corporate backgrounds well suited to the industry as well. Remember to check our job board for the latest listings. Here are some of the non profit roles that we fill at Mulberry Talent Partners.
Executive Director:
Organization leader who develops strategy and oversees operation. Often reports to an elected board.
Development Director:
Manager of fundraising efforts and donor relations, an individual who is looking to transition to this type of position, often comes from a role in sales.
Program Manager:
This individual oversees planning, implementation, and evaluation of programs.
Grant Writer:
These writers have specific backgrounds and experience submitting formal application for funds from foundations and government agencies.
Volunteer Coordinator:
This is an on the ground individual who organizes, trains and recruits volunteers.
Marketing and Communications Leader:
This individual often has a corporate background and handles public relations, social media, and marketing campaigns.
Finding the Right Hire for your Nonprofit
Before posting your job online or sending it to your network, be sure that you are clear on the needs and gaps in skills you are looking to fill. Think beyond the duties to personality as well, and passion. Then clearly outline the skills, experience, and qualifications required for the role.
A great job description includes:
- Job Title and Summary
- Responsibilities
- Qualifications
- Skills
- Company Overview and Mission Statement
Where to Find the Right Fit for Nonprofits
Finding the right fit for nonprofits is equal parts skill and passion. Luckily, there are great resources in Portland and nationally for hiring nonprofits. Mulberry Talent Partners uses job boards, our social media channels and professional networks, and our extensive database to source candidates for our clients. Using a recruiting agency has the advantage of years of experience and knowing their candidates, and can help make matches in less time than inhouse searching. We recommend also galvanizing your network and existing staff to search their own databases for candidates.
Finding the right fit for nonprofits is equal parts skill and passion. Luckily, there are great resources in Portland and nationally for hiring nonprofits. Mulberry Talent Partners uses job boards, our social media channels and professional networks, and our extensive database to source candidates for our clients. Using a recruiting agency has the advantage of years of experience and knowing their candidates, and can help make matches in less time than inhouse searching. We recommend also galvanizing your network and existing staff to search their own databases for candidates.
Mulberry Checks and Balances
Nonprofits potentially have more at stake than for profit businesses in that, many report to boards, and a hire that is inappropriate, could cause financial loss or loss of support. For these reasons, the vetting of nonprofit leaders and hires is of utmost importance. Below are our standard steps of vetting to ensure your match is the right match.
Nonprofits potentially have more at stake than for profit businesses in that, many report to boards, and a hire that is inappropriate, could cause financial loss or loss of support. For these reasons, the vetting of nonprofit leaders and hires is of utmost importance. Below are our standard steps of vetting to ensure your match is the right match.
Verify Credentials: Mulberry Talent Partners performs checks in education, certification, and digital footprint.
Reference Vetting: Our database includes candidates that have professional references that are vetted as well as our own personality vetting. This is one extra way that our hiring differs from our competitors.
Background Checks: All candidates have submitted to a professional and legal background check.
Reference Vetting: Our database includes candidates that have professional references that are vetted as well as our own personality vetting. This is one extra way that our hiring differs from our competitors.
Background Checks: All candidates have submitted to a professional and legal background check.
Mission Driven Matches
When our clients are ready to move forward with a candidate, we follow procedures similar to other industries. Compensation must be clearly drawn out with benefits and salary that align with nonprofit of the same levels standards and terms must be agreed upon. In these negotiations, it can be helpful to have a recruiting agency on your side, because we are able to communicate most clearly and keep both the organization and candidate priorities in mind to advance a hire.
When our clients are ready to move forward with a candidate, we follow procedures similar to other industries. Compensation must be clearly drawn out with benefits and salary that align with nonprofit of the same levels standards and terms must be agreed upon. In these negotiations, it can be helpful to have a recruiting agency on your side, because we are able to communicate most clearly and keep both the organization and candidate priorities in mind to advance a hire.
After Hire Care
We love a good success story and our nonprofit clients have many. Not only are our matches doing incredible work in communities and internationally, but they are fulfilled in performing service as well. It is important following the offer and acceptance that roles are assumed in the right tone. We recommend onboarding programs that have official procedures, culture discussion, and organizational policies and for there to be regular follow up and check in to make sure questions are being answered and that both organization and role are meeting their commitments. Keep in mind that many job seekers are looking for mission driven careers that provide opportunities for advancement and offering this as an organization can help retain top talent.
We love a good success story and our nonprofit clients have many. Not only are our matches doing incredible work in communities and internationally, but they are fulfilled in performing service as well. It is important following the offer and acceptance that roles are assumed in the right tone. We recommend onboarding programs that have official procedures, culture discussion, and organizational policies and for there to be regular follow up and check in to make sure questions are being answered and that both organization and role are meeting their commitments. Keep in mind that many job seekers are looking for mission driven careers that provide opportunities for advancement and offering this as an organization can help retain top talent.
Specifics for Overcoming NonProfit Hiring Challenges
If you are a smaller nonprofit and looking for new hires, we have a few tips beyond what we shared above. First, in your posting and communications, you will want to highlight the impact of your work across digital channels and in your job description to attract the right candidates. You will also want to show individuals that your organization offers pathways to professional development and advancement, whether that is through education opportunities or collaborations with partner organizations. The great news is that top talent in many industries may be looking to develop a more mission driven career, and your organization could be the right fit.
If you are a smaller nonprofit and looking for new hires, we have a few tips beyond what we shared above. First, in your posting and communications, you will want to highlight the impact of your work across digital channels and in your job description to attract the right candidates. You will also want to show individuals that your organization offers pathways to professional development and advancement, whether that is through education opportunities or collaborations with partner organizations. The great news is that top talent in many industries may be looking to develop a more mission driven career, and your organization could be the right fit.
For more information on how Mulberry Talent Partners can assist with your hiring needs, contact us today.
If you are interested in learning about shifting to the nonprofit sector, we have a blog and podcast just for you. Read and listen here.