10 Ways to Always Be Prepared for Your Next Nonprofit Job

The last several weeks have been very busy for me. In addition to long hours in my day job plus volunteer commitments, I have been asked to pursue my special hobby.

Most people play golf, read, travel and pursue exciting and fun activities. My special hobby is to act as an agent or recruiter and help my peers get new jobs. I have always had a special feeling and joy from doing this type of activity. I believe I am driven because I never had that type of assistance in obtaining jobs. Unfortunately, it is the nature of our business. It is no fun talking to a very competent performer, especially if he or she has lost a job for the first time.

Employers in our field of endeavor should realize that turnover costs a great deal of money. According to Penelope Burk, president of Cygnus Applied Research, the average amount of time a fundraiser stays at his or her job is 16 months. I contend that in no way do you understand the culture of an organization in that limited time. You certainly do not develop any relationships with prospects, donors, volunteers, board, staff and others needed for long-term job success.

Burk notes that the direct and indirect costs of finding a replacement total around $127,650. I guess the good news is the demand for good fundraisers is so high "at the moment" that it is greater than supply. Burk also notes that "only one out of three fundraisers experience even a day without a job." I have worked with others who have been out of a job for a number of months.

In a free consultant role, I currently assisting three professionals who have different case studies. Do any of these scenarios apply to you or your peers?