Get me out of the non-profit world!

December 1, 2016 2:52 PM

I currently work as a prospect researcher/prospect manager for the Development department at a large non-profit. I am unhappy in my position, and am starting to think I might want to get out of the non-profit world entirely as I've seen nothing but dysfunction in the organizations I have worked for. I need help figuring out how my skills could apply to another career.

Skills: researching people (wealth, biographical info, assets) and writing reports, database "management" (NOT a DBA), data analysis, in-depth knowledge of fundraising techniques and principals. I have worked in non-profit development for 10 years, so I'm very familiar with all the mechanics of this world - but like I said, I'd like to explore other career options at this point. You can assume I have all the normal office-related skills: typing, MS Office, etc...

Any creative suggestions? I need a little inspiration! Any general advice about switching careers would be appreciated too.

posted by GoldenEel to Work & Money (9 answers total)

Business development for a private wealth management group or multi-family office. Researching the same people for the same characteristics for organizations which are very functional and will pay you $500k a year if you're good.
posted by MattD at 3:18 PM on December 1, 2016

Seems like a Business Analyst thing.

User Experience would maybe be possible, too, if you can turn those research skills towards user research.
posted by hardlikealgebra at 3:37 PM on December 1, 2016

Data point: every for-profit I've ever worked for, from tiny to huge, has also been dysfunctional in its own way. My suggestion is to don't get your hopes up too high lest they be dashed.

But as MattD says, you can get a lot more money for the same work. And that can take a whole passel of trouble off the porch.
posted by Mo Nickels at 4:31 PM on December 1, 2016 [2 favorites]

Yes - Business analyst or investigator for something like Office of Personnel Management or a county agency (there are lots or varieties of investigator jobs out there). I have had both these positions so feel free to memail me if you have questions.

I have found - after working at non-profits, academia, a corporate job and government jobs - that every single one is dysfunctional, messed up, and filled with both mean, unhappy people and nice, kind people.
posted by mulcahy at 8:10 PM on December 1, 2016 [3 favorites]

I've worked for some really well-run, highly professional nonprofit organizations. If you can't make the transition, look for a better job.
posted by salvia at 9:47 PM on December 1, 2016

Consider looking at that broad field of prospects you research. Foundations large and small, corporations' grant-making divisions and the like. They all require staff too.
posted by AnOrigamiLife at 11:41 PM on December 1, 2016

Lol to the suggestion of government. Not what is recommend if your looking for less dysfunctional organizations (former large local govt employee).
posted by Exceptional_Hubris at 4:38 AM on December 2, 2016

You might consider working in development for a university or a hospital? Your skills would directly apply, but you might enjoy the organizational structure much more. Compensation can often be better, too.
posted by superfluousm at 8:35 AM on December 2, 2016

Consider finding someone in a Sales organization, and learning more about their job and their area.

Note: You're probably not looking for a job in Sales itself, but the function that feeds into Sales.

Understand the sales pipeline / funnel (GIS either term). I think you might have the skills to be effective at the top of the funnel - identifying and qualifying leads.

Finding people who have money to spend is very similar to finding people who have money to donate. ;)
posted by FlatHill at 2:13 PM on December 2, 2016