5 Steps to Taking a Leadership Role in Your Nonprofit   

For the millennial generation, volunteering and donating to nonprofits are not just resumé-builders, they are a way of life. According to the 2014 Millennial Impact Report published by Achieve and the Case Foundation, 87% of millennial employees donated to a nonprofit in 2013, and the same percentage of millennials enjoyed company-wide days of service to a nonprofit.

What many millennials don’t realize though is that nonprofits crave the unique skill-sets possessed by their generation (think online fundraising, social media, etc.) and the fresh perspective they offer. In fact, not only are nonprofits open to millennial leadership, but they are excited and encouraging of it too. Here are five ways to make greater change in the nonprofit community by taking on a leadership position:

1. Follow Your Passion
Donating your time and resources is hard enough as it is; the best way to ensure a successful partnership with a nonprofit is to make sure you are aligned with its mission, vision, goals, and strategy.  So the first and most important step to getting involved with a nonprofit – and then taking a leadership role in that nonprofit – is to find a cause that fuels your passion, and in which you believe 100%. If it happens to correlate with your career, or your social circles, then even better! The greater the connection, the greater your contribution will be.

For me personally, I’ve found great enjoyment in nonprofits that relate to my work. As a woman in a male-dominated industry, I’ve identified with a nonprofit that helps to educate and advance women in society, addressing important issues such as the gender pay gap and glass ceilings. Because I am impacted and inspired by the organization, I am more inclined to spend my time participating in committees and advancing the mission of the organization.

2. What Are Your Skills?
Once you’ve identified a nonprofit that speaks to you, it’s important to determine how you can best contribute to the organization. Are you a great planner? Then volunteer to co-plan an event. Are you a strong writer? Try writing an article about one of the organization’s initiatives and get it published in your local paper. Are you a social butterfly? Take on the role of fundraising – you’ll be a natural.

If you are struggling to determine your “strengths,” consider an online strengths assessment such as StrengthsFinder 2.0. You are more likely to enjoy your role within the nonprofit if you are doing something that you are good at – and the nonprofit will benefit more from your strengths than your weaknesses!

3. Treat Your Nonprofit Like a Business
A nonprofit, at its core, is no different than a business. The mission may be different – and of course the financials will be different – but the key to running a successful business applies to running a successful nonprofit too.

For millennials, think of your involvement in a nonprofit as if you were running a business. You should identify your core areas:

• Outreach and Education (aka marketing, in the business world)
• Fundraising (winning business)
• Serving your mission (your core business)

So, ponder: how do businesses market their products? Advertising, direct mail, public relations, cold calling, etc. Would any of that work for your nonprofit? If so, volunteer your time and resources to help implement it. Next, consider: are you reaching the right people? Who are you trying to reach in the first place? The point is, just as in a business, it’s important to have a clear business plan and strategy for implementing it. So help your nonprofit do the same, and it will experience incredible results.

4. Think Outside of the Box
Remember, Millennials, your creativity is appreciated in the nonprofit world! The millennial generation is known as the “tech” generation – so let’s show them how it’s done…! Use your knowledge of social media to your advantage – most nonprofits have limited involvement on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn. As a volunteer, advise the nonprofit on the best approaches to social media strategy.  Utilize creative fundraising platforms: for instance, Classy.org is the number one mobile and online nonprofit fundraising platform – that could have a huge impact on your nonprofit’s success.  

5. Look for Board Positions
Board positions are a great opportunity to impact change on a higher level within the organization – and to meet other like-minded individuals passionate about the same cause as you. Community advisory boards, junior boards, and other peripheral boards are a great stepping-stone to the boards of directors – and can be a launch pad for your leadership role.

Millennials, there’s no better time than now to get involved in your nonprofit of choice at a deeper level. Remember, though, that anything you do and give is meaningful, whether you’re on the board of a nonprofit planning million dollar events, or spending a few hours every few months at a volunteer effort. Just by reading this article, you are ahead of the game and making a contribution to society at large.