Nonprofit Management Careers With an ĢƵ University MPA
September 5, 2025
Choosing the right Master of Public Administration (MPA) degree is vital to your success in nonprofit management jobs. Different degrees prepare you in different ways, and ĢƵ University’s MPA programs stand out from the rest because the coursework is focused on imparting real-world skills, taught by expert faculty, and helps prepare graduates for in-demand and impactful nonprofit jobs.
Explore some in-demand nonprofit jobs below.
Program Management Positions
Nonprofit program managers oversee the implementation of programs in a nonprofit organization. They evaluate existing efforts and develop plans based on organizational goals. These roles involve a lot of planning and problem solving. In addition, budget management, leadership, and communication are vital skills.1
Titles that those in this type of position may have include:
- Nonprofit Program Manager
- Nonprofit Event Manager
Operations Management Positions
Nonprofit operations managers ensure the efficient functioning of nonprofit organizations. They have a hand in day-to-day operations that include implementing policies, overseeing financials, keeping compliance with regulations, and working with human resources.2
Titles held by those in operations management positions include:
- Nonprofit Project Manager
- Nonprofit Contract Manager
Financial Management Positions
Nonprofit financial managers help plan budgets, develop financial reports, and ensure compliance with financial regulations. They help manage an organization’s financial situation, using technology and working with department heads.3
Their job titles may be:
- Nonprofit Finance Manager
- Chief Financial Officer
- Nonprofit Fundraising Manager
Career Growth in the Nonprofit Sector
There’s a significant demand for nonprofit professionals in management roles. In fact, in 2024, 74% of nonprofits had job vacancies, while 71% saw increases in demand for their programs and services.4
The need for social and community manager jobs is growing, increasing 8% between 2023 and 2033. Due to the increase, about 17,800 openings for social and community service managers are expected each year during that period.5
Some jobs in the nonprofit sector require at least a bachelor’s degree, but an MPA can help set you apart from the competition and prepare you with the important analytical, communication, managerial, and problem-solving skills you’ll need to make a difference.
Essential Skills for Nonprofit Management Success
Roles in nonprofit leadership are challenging and diverse. Choosing an MPA program, like the options at ĢƵ University, can ensure that you take the right nonprofit management courses and graduate with the knowledge you need to make a real impact in your career.
"As someone who works as an NGO public servant in both the Indo-Pacific and European theatres, I am engaging in cross-agency collaboration with U.S. federal agencies and our international partners daily. The skills that I learned during the EMPA program have given me the confidence to handle these situations with ease and affluency," said Shannon Hamelund, Executive MPA, Senior Center Operations Manager, USO Camp Aachen.
Financial Management and Compliance
Financial management and compliance are huge parts of many nonprofit roles. Skills needed include:
- Budget development and oversight
- Grant compliance and reporting
- Fundraising strategy and implementation
OHIO’s course MPA 5680 Nonprofit Financial Management and Resource Development introduces fundraising and explores moral, practical, and legal issues in fund development.
In this course, you will:
- Examine the complex environment of nonprofits and the various resources essential to their survival.
- Gain a working knowledge of the fundraising skills and strategies needed for nonprofit managers.
- Link acquisition of resources into the organizational context.
Change Management and Strategic Planning
Managing change and planning for the future is a vital responsibility of many nonprofit managers. Some skills necessary include:
- Organizational development principles
- Strategic planning processes
- Change implementation strategies
MPA 5890 Nonprofit Leadership and Governance helps OHIO students prepare for these duties. In the course, you’ll learn to:
- Articulate the importance of mission in understanding the organization’s past and determining its future.
- Discuss collaboration and cooperation in terms of sectoral growth.
- Understand the future challenges that the sector faces.
- Understand the nonprofit legal and regulatory environment.
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Stakeholder Engagement and Communication
Cross-functional communication is integral to success as a nonprofit manager. Some duties you may encounter include:
- Board relations and governance
- Community engagement strategies
- Volunteer management and coordination
OHIO’s course MPA 5660 Strategic Communication and Outreach for Nonprofit Management guides students through what it takes to build a functioning communications plan. In the course, students learn to:
- Identify the significance of nonprofit marketing and communication to advance organizational goals.
- Use a variety of techniques for conducting traditional and social marketing programs.
- Create a comprehensive nonprofit marketing and communication plan linked to an overall organizational strategy.
- Describe the fundamentals of framing and messaging through a values-based communication lens.
ĢƵ University's MPA Advantage for Nonprofit Careers
ĢƵ University is an easy choice for those seeking a nonprofit career. Graduate Shannon Hamelund said, “Once I set my sights on public administration, returning to OHIO to pursue the Executive MPA was an obvious decision. I know the University’s commitment to cultivating public good, and I couldn’t imagine not being a Bobcat during grad school.”
At OHIO, you can choose from three MPA options:
- Online Master of Public Administration: The online MPA features a comprehensive curriculum and the chance to tailor your education. Choose from one of three in-demand concentrations. You may also choose to complete a project management certificate alongside your coursework.
- Executive Master of Public Administration: Designed for professionals with at least three years of work experience, the Executive MPA provides the knowledge you need to advance into leadership roles.
- One-Year Master of Public Administration: The campus-based Master of Public Administration program combines theory and in-person development for those who seek career experience.
Our degrees ensure that you can step confidently into your role as a nonprofit manager, ready to face challenges and seize opportunities. Throughout your program, you’ll engage with expert faculty who bring their years of real-world MPA experience to the classroom. OHIO also offers veteran support to those who have served in the armed forces.
Start your journey with an OHIO MPA program today.
Sources
- Expert Nonprofits, A Comprehensive Guide to Nonprofit Program Manager Job Description. Retrieved July 18, 2025, from .
- Expert Nonprofits, Exploring the Role of a Nonprofit Operations Manager: A Comprehensive Job Description. Retrieved July 18, 2025, from .
- InterviewGuy.com, Nonprofit Financial Manager Job Description. Retrieved July 18, 2025, from .
- Forvis Mazars, 2024 State of the Nonprofit Sector Report. Retrieved July 18, 2025, from .
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, “Occupational Outlook Handbook,” Social and Community Service Managers. Retrieved July 18, 2025,
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Related Resources
- Top Careers in Public Administration
- How to Become a City Manager
- Success In Action: Applying OHIO’s Executive MPA Skills Worldwide
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