More than 50,000 Not for Profit groups spent a combined total of $137.1 billion in pursuing their charitable aims in 2016. The report, released by the Australian Charities and Not for Profits Commission, indicates the colossal scale of Not for Profit (NFP) operations nationwide and the willingness of everyday Australians to contribute to supporting those in need.

This contribution goes beyond just deep pockets – people are devoting their time and energy to working in the sector. The Australian Charities and Not for Profits Commission (ACNC) shows 1.3 million people are employed by charity groups nationwide. A further 3.6 million people engage in volunteer work on a full or part-time basis (Volunteering Australia).

Working for a charity organisation boasts advantages that employment in other sectors simply can’t replicate – here are three good reasons to work for a professionally-run Australian Not for Profit.

1. A valuable step in your professional career

Whether on a paid or volunteer basis, the NFP sector is highly valuable to work in. In fact, Volunteering Australia shows there were over 3.6 million workers over the age of 15 in 2016 – an increase on 2011 volunteering levels. This shows the value people place on working with Not for Profits.

Pursuing a role on the board of a NFP can be a challenging step to executive and C-Suite level professionals who already have a lot on their plate. However, embracing the responsibilities of managing all aspects of a charity organisation’s operations is a valuable learning experience and can help further develop professional expertise. Using these existing soft skills in a NFP role is self-fulfilling, and is in increasingly high demand, according to Pro Bono Australia.

The NFP group claims that 2018 will see a greater focus on recruiting individuals based on soft skills rather than psychometric testing. This means executive-level business professionals can focus on sharing their knowledge developed over the years in a skills-based market.

Australians looking to work with NFP groups can achieve valuable employment in most roles found in a regular enterprise. This includes anything from business operations-focused board positions to more hands-on opportunities in business development or fundraising. Additionally, the number of NFP organisations nationwide means candidates can choose from thousands of worthy causes.

More than 50,000 charities spent a combined $137.1 billion in pursuing their charitable aims in 2016.

2. Fulfilling work for personal development

Further to this career opportunity, working with a NFP offers individuals the chance to further their personal development and fulfill a passion for helping charitable causes. Many Australians struggle to achieve a work-life balance between their professional responsibilities and devoting their free time to causes and events that mean a lot personally.

OECD data indicates that Australians experience a greater imbalance between work commitments and social life than individuals from other first world countries, despite ongoing attempts to lower working hours. Not for Profit work offers individuals the chance to earn an income while still giving back and performing meaningful work that adds value to their lives and the world around them.

3. Working for a NFP is like working for a business

Not for Profits are an increasingly important contributor to the Australian economy – nearly one in five of all charity organisations nationwide now generate more than $1 million in revenue annually. Part of this growth is to do with how NFPs are run. From the smallest local causes to major charity groups with a worldwide reach, these entities are increasingly being run with the same level of professionalism as for profit enterprises.

Executives can bring their skills and experience to the table when working with a Not for Profit organisation, offering guidance on the best management or governance strategies. This in turn offers a stimulating environment for further development, both professionally and personally, as individuals continue to learn from their paid role and NFP executive position.

For Australian Not for Profit organisations, attracting volunteers and skilled workers will partly be determined by how ordered operations are. A well-structured organisation with transparent accounting practices will have no trouble finding and retaining the right talent. Meanwhile, NFPs that fail to get the expert help needed to achieve this professionalism may struggle to maintain the consistent and skilled workforce essential to successfully pursuing its goals.

Driving professional change and accountability

If you’re considering working for a Not for Profit organisation, ensure you choose a group that is well-governed, has organised accounts and is generally fit to whole-heartedly follow its charitable aims.

In order to meet these desirable requirements, charitable groups should partner with Pitcher Partners Newcastle and Hunter. Our team of accountants and financial experts has focused on supporting Australian NFPs for years, offering accounting, taxation and business services to help charitable groups. For more information about how we can help, contact the Pitcher Partners Newcastle and Hunter team today for a consultation on getting the best out of your charitable operations.