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We all know that the job market is unpredictable, especially in the purpose-driven sector. When you consider the ongoing shifts in funding policy and donor behavior, community needs and demographics, and other societal forces, it can be hard to know whether your skill set will remain in-demand over the long term.
That’s why it may pay off to review the positions and cause areas that need dedicated professionals right now and well into the future.
Fundraising
Fundraising, also known as “development,” is about making money (or other resources) for the organization. That’s why development talent is so in demand – especially as nonprofits adapt to a changing donor base and economic conditions.
A position in development may be right for you if:
- You have a background in fundraising or sales. Instead of selling a product, you’re selling the mission – or the opportunity to support it.
- You’re a skilled relationship-builder. Because individual giving makes up the vast majority of revenue at most nonprofits, the bulk of development work goes toward building strong relationships with donors and prospective donors.
- You’re experienced in marketing. More and more, marketing and development are becoming a single unit in nonprofit organizations.
- You have a track record with specialized fundraising tasks like campaign strategy, grant writing, event planning, or data management and analysis.
Learn more about fundraising roles here.
Program management
Program managers are the heart of any nonprofit’s impact, powering on-the-ground work that makes a difference in people’s lives. This multifaceted role revolves around planning, implementation, oversight, and evaluation.
A position in program management might be right for you if:
- You have passion for the mission. A strong belief in the nonprofit’s cause is essential for driving commitment to impact.
- You have a knack for organizing. Managing multiple tasks, deadlines, and resources is a daily demand.
- You are an effective communicator. You’ll work with a diverse range of stakeholders, from frontline workers to beneficiaries to nonprofit leaders.
- You excel at problem-solving. Nonprofit programs often face complex challenges requiring creative solutions.
- You understand the value of data. A data-driven approach to monitoring and evaluation is highly beneficial.
Learn more about program manager roles here.
Social work
Social work means helping people directly: working with individuals, families, or children to prevent or deal with problems in their day-to-day lives. These positions cover a wide range of issues, from housing stability and food security to educational obstacles, trauma recovery, mental health, and chronic illness – all areas in which need is growing. (In fact, the first jobs report of 2026 indicated 17,000 new hires in “social assistance,” accounting for 34% of all jobs added in December 2025.)
A position in social work or direct service might be right for you if:
- You enjoy helping others. Do you find it motivating to provide assistance and see lives improve as a result?
- You are skilled at communicating with vulnerable populations. Experience with interviewing and counseling are highly valuable.
- You are detail-oriented and unafraid to make tough decisions. People seeking services often face difficult circumstances, and agencies have limited resources.
- You are resilient. Working directly with those facing hardship can be emotionally and physically demanding.
Learn more about direct service work here.
Healthcare
The healthcare subsector within nonprofits is experiencing tremendous growth, driven by increasing community health needs and healthcare accessibility challenges. (Healthcare sector jobs accounted for 42% of job growth in December 2025.) Healthcare careers promise a strong job outlook, particularly in nonprofit settings focused on community health and patient support.
High-demand nonprofit healthcare roles include:
- Community Health Workers (CHW) – Nonclinical, frontline, public health workers who are trusted members of the community and whose work helps bridge the gaps between healthcare systems and underserved populations.
- Patient Navigators – Supportive staff who help clients understand the healthcare system, coordinate care, and connect people with resources, often focusing on chronic diseases like cancer or diabetes.
- Health Services Managers – Professionals who understand how healthcare systems work and have strong communication and organization skills. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, this career path has a projected job growth rate of 28% through 2032.
Essential skills for nonprofit healthcare roles:
- Cultural competency and language skills
- Care coordination abilities
- Understanding of healthcare systems and resources
- Strong interpersonal communication
- Basic health education knowledge
These positions typically require specialized training or certification, with community health worker programs increasingly standardized across states.
Bonus: Universal skills to keep you ahead
Of course, there’s a range of non-technical know-how that employers are always looking for. You can give yourself an across-the-board advantage by cultivating the soft skills that organizations need now and in the future.
You can also prepare for the challenges of managing people and teams – a career path that always holds promise for the future – with management training. (For one of-the-moment example, see the Management Accelerator offered by Work for Good’s parent company.)
Marc Schultz is communications editor at Work for Good.
This article was reviewed and updated in January 2026.
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