Are nonprofits typically at career fairs?

Sometimes they are but if you want to work for nonprofits, you should be targeting them. Dont wait for them to target you..you will have to hold your breath on this one. Instead do a search for the agencies http://grantspace.org/tools/knowledge-base/Funding-Research/Statistics/number-of-nonprofits-in-the-u.s. Find out what department you want to work in and contact the local contact about your interest. Have your resume ready. Read their reports for an idea about their challenges. Then tell them how you can be of service to them. Highlight your skills that address activities listed in their strategic plans.

Hi Mounia,

Yes, I would agree that some nonprofits may be represented at job fairs, but that's not really the best place to find them. Smaller nonprofits especially may not have the resources to send someone to a job fair; it doesn't really make sense to put time into that type of event when you have few openings.

I highly recommend you check out idealist.org, a nonprofit job search website. By looking at job postings in your area, you can get a sense of what nonprofits are around. If you are interested in a job or internship in the near future, I would suggest you concentrate on applying to existing openings rather than contacting nonprofits to ask about work or volunteering.

Of course, if you are interested in volunteering, or hoping to network with nonprofit professionals, by all means reach out to folks at local nonprofits. I'd just suggest you keep in mind that many nonprofits are extremely busy and people may not always be responsive to you if you reach out with general questions. It's not necessarily that they don't want to assist you, it's just that nonprofits get a variety of emails from prospective volunteers/interns/staff and it's hard to have time to connect with everyone.

However, if you are interested in networking, you should definitely give it a try! You may have more success if you tell them (briefly) a little bit about your background, including what school you attend, what you're interested in studying, and why you want to learn more about the nonprofit field. Tell them what interests you about their specific nonprofit and its mission, ask if they would have time for a call or meeting, and thank them for their time and for considering your request.

Good luck!

Kate