Unpublished

Careers and the Nonprofits
  1. Strand PHIL.I Definitions of Philanthropy
    1. Standard DP 02. Roles of Government, Business, and Philanthropy
      1. Benchmark HS.6 Describe how the civil society sector is often the origin of new ideas, projects and innovation and social renewal.
    2. Standard DP 04. Operational Characteristics of Nonprofit Organizations
      1. Benchmark HS.1 Identify the major operational characteristics of organizations in the civil society sector.
  2. Strand PHIL.III Philanthropy and the Individual
    1. Standard PI 01. Reasons for Individual Philanthropy
      1. Benchmark HS.11 Discuss the concept of corporate citizenship and corporate responsibility for the common good.
    2. Standard PI 02. Careers In The Nonprofit Sector
      1. Benchmark HS.1 Identify and explain how career options in the civil-society sector benefit communities.
      2. Benchmark HS.2 Explore requirements and motivations for a career in the civil society sector.

Learners will distinguish between nonprofit organizations and for-profit organizations. They will identify and dispel some of the myths of nonprofit employment. Using the Action Without Borders/Idealist.org web site, www.idealist.org, the learners will investigate career opportunities in nonprofit organizations as well as some of the skills required in these careers.

Duration: 
PrintOne Fifty-Minute Class Period
Objectives: 

The learner will:

  • distinguish between the nonprofit organizations and the for-profit organizations.
  • identify and dispel some of the myths of nonprofit employment.
  • identify and explore a career opportunity in a nonprofit organization using the Action Without Borders/Idealist.org web site, www.idealist.org.
Materials: 
  • So What Do You Know about Careers and the Non-Profits
  • True or False Pre-Test (handout below).
  • Career Options in the Nonprofit Sector (handout)
  • Action Without Borders/Idealist.org web site, www.idealist.org
  • So What is It All About and What Does it Require? (handout)
  • Interview (handout)
Home Connection: 

Have the learners "interview" three people in their family or in their acquaintance who are employed, to determine if their job is in a for-profit or nonprofit organization. Have the learners also list three skills that each of the individuals interviewed feel is necessary for their job. The learners will complete the Interview sheet (Handout Four) and bring it to the next class.

Bibliography: 
  • Idealist.org Web site, Web site, www.idealist.org
  • Learning to Give Briefing Papers
Instructions: 
Print
  1. Anticipatory Set:

    Have the learners give examples of fifteen to twenty organizations/businesses in the community and/or the world. As they are given, list these organizations/businesses on the display board. Ask the learners to share what they know about the distinction between for-profit and nonprofit businesses/organizations. Share with them the definition of for-profit and nonprofit organizations.

    for-profit organization-(n) A term describing the Internal Revenue Service’s designation of an organization whose income is used for the benefit or private gain of stockholders, directors, or any other persons with an interest in the company; and is subject to all the tax laws for businesses and industries.

    nonprofit organization- (n) A term describing the Internal Revenue Service’s designation of an organization whose income is not used for the benefit or private gain of stockholders, directors, or any other persons with an interest in the company; separate tax treatment exists based on whether it is charitable or not.

    Using the listing of organizations offered by the learners, as well as the definition shared, have the learners determine whether they are an example of a for-profit or nonprofit organization, circling those that have been identified as nonprofit. If no nonprofits appear on the list, ask the learners for examples to add to the list.

  2. Have the learners take the So What Do You Know about Careers and the Non-Profits True or False Pre-Test (Handout One).

  3. Distribute the Career Options in the Nonprofit Sector (Handout Two) and have the learners read the article and ‘score’ their total of correct responses on the pre-test based upon what they discovered from this reading. (Teacher Note: Statements 1, 2, 5, 7, 9,10,11,13, and 14 are True; Statements 3, 4 , 6, 8, and 12 are False)

  4. Have the learners present their ‘new learning’/’new insights’ with the group by orally responding to this prompt, " I was surprised to learn that…"

  5. Explain to the students that some people think people working at nonprofits are not paid. Tell them that nonprofits do use volunteers, who are not paid, but most employ paid staff. Some organizations, both nonprofit and for-profit, also offer internships (opportunities for people to acquire experience in a position or organization) that may or may not be a paid position. They will be investigating jobs or internships in the nonprofit sector.

  6. Have the learners log on to www.idealist.org, under "Advanced Searches" click on "Jobs," note the number of job postings. On the "Find Job" page click on "See Our Latest Job Listings." From this list have the learners select a job or internship that might fit their interests and abilities, and complete the So What is It All About and What Does it Require? (Handout Three)

Assessment: 

Observe learner involvement in the discussion and collect each learner’s Handout Three to assess completion and quality of response.