Best Online Nonprofit Management Programs

Nonprofits are critical lifelines for their communities — but they don’t have enough workers to provide their key services.

Demand for nonprofit workers is high as organizations face shortages: Nearly 3 in 4 nonprofits reported job vacancies in a 2023 National Council of Nonprofits survey. Many of those vacancies were in program and service delivery positions, and more than 10% of nonprofits reported senior management vacancies.

A nonprofit management degree can prepare students to step into leadership roles at nonprofits and help address that workforce shortage. Nonprofit managers serve a wide range of organizations, from food banks to shelters and other nonprofit groups, and help them deliver important services to their communities.

That field is growing — the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects jobs for social and community services managers to grow by 8% over the next decade, a much faster pace than average. Read on to learn more about nonprofit management programs and find the best fit for you.

Students with an altruistic streak and an aptitude for business often do well in nonprofit management programs. Nonprofit professionals should feel comfortable seeking out donations, managing budgets, and advocating for a cause. As such, extroverted, mission-driven, detail-oriented students are often good fits for bachelor’s in nonprofit management programs.

Bachelor’s in nonprofit management programs usually require approximately 120 credits and take about four years to complete. Students who enroll in online and accelerated programs may be able to graduate more quickly. Learners can also graduate more quickly by taking courses during each summer semester instead of just the fall and spring.

Many programs encourage students to complete internships at nonprofit organizations to gain experience in the field. Distance learners can usually arrange to complete these internships at approved sites in their own communities.

Nonprofit management is often offered as a concentration within bachelor of business administration programs. As such, nonprofit management students usually can’t pursue additional specializations, and students often complete foundational business coursework before delving into information specific to the nonprofit sector.

Since most nonprofit management students also gain foundational business administration knowledge, they can qualify for careers in both the nonprofit and private sectors. And while nonprofit management is not necessarily a popular major, it can lead to a variety of jobs, since it is often linked to business.

Nonprofit management graduates can pursue careers in the nonprofit sector, business, fundraising, careers in public relations, and social services careers. According to Payscale data from March 2024, nonprofit program coordinators, who are entry-level employees in the field, earn an average annual salary of $49,250.

With experience, nonprofit professionals can advance into managerial and supervisory roles, where they can benefit from significant demand. For example, the BLS projects 8% job growth for social and community services managers between 2023 and 2033.

Gaining experience in the field is the most important form of additional education for working nonprofit professionals with a bachelor’s degree. However, they can also pursue a master’s degree in nonprofit management to increase their salary potential and chances at managerial positions like fundraising manager, executive director, and community and social services manager.

If they don’t want to commit to an entire graduate degree, nonprofit professionals can pursue a graduate certificate in nonprofit management. These programs usually require 12-18 credits and take one year or less to complete.