Skip to main content
Create an account for suggestions personalised to you and your organisation
Articles & Reports
1 minute read

What you need to know before working for a not-for-profit organisation

This article provides an overview of what it is like to work in a not-for-profit organisation, including how roles are structured, funding realities and workplace culture.

It is designed for people considering paid roles in the sector and offers useful context for volunteer managers working alongside staff.

Benefits for volunteer managers

  • provides context on not-for-profit funding and staffing constraints
  • supports clearer role expectations between paid staff and volunteers
  • helps inform workload and capacity conversations.

How to apply this resource

Useful when onboarding staff or volunteers who are new to the not-for-profit sector

Downloads and sources

More about the author

Online directory providing information and comparison of vocational education courses from Australian training providers.

Contribute to the Gateway

Leave feedback

Was this resource useful?

Make a Suggestion

If you find a great resource that isn't in the directory or want to provide feedback on the Volunteering Gateway, drop us a line!

More like this

Research and Reports

Corporate volunteering in Australia: a snapshot

Research snapshot outlining trends, benefits and opportunities to strengthen partnerships between businesses and Volunteering Involving Organisations.
1 minute read
Volunteering Australia, Volunteering WA, SLR Consulting
General
Guides

Health and Safety Guide

A guide on how to protect volunteers and ensure their health and safety.
1 minute read
Volunteering Victoria
General
Be Collective
Tech

Be Collective

A volunteer management & community engagement platform. Be Collective is all about empowering volunteering and the organisations supporting volunteering to build stronger, more sustainable networks for doing good.
Volunteer database Recruitment Rostering / scheduling Onboarding / training Volunteer performance/recognition Communication / engagement Task management Compliance Reporting Resource management Social media Event management Donations
VIKTOR
Tech

VIKTOR

VIKTOR is a volunteer recruitment system designed to run a referral service for volunteers. It allows you to create and advertise volunteer roles, enter volunteers and match them to roles offered by your members.
Volunteer database Recruitment Reporting
MyPass
Tech

MyPass

MyPass is volunteer onboarding and compliance management software centred around a digital Skills Passport, designed to help volunteer involving organisations (VIOs) reduce their risk and cost of operations.
Volunteer database Recruitment Rostering / scheduling Onboarding / training Communication / engagement Compliance Reporting Resource management Event management
scheduled

An Introduction to Succession Planning: Developing your Future Leaders

Learn the fundamentals of succession planning to build a resilient, sustainable organisation. Discover practical strategies to identify critical roles, develop emerging talent, reduce risk, and strengthen your team's future capability.
VolunteeringWA
–
Free
scheduled

Governing for NFP Volunteer Board Performance

A one-day facilitated course for current and aspiring not-for-profit board members and executives who report to boards, covering legal and financial obligations, risk, accountability, stakeholder management and the board's role in strategy.
Volunteering SA&NT
–
A$968.00
scheduled

National Standards Conversations

The session includes small-group discussions, where participants can share their approaches, ask questions, and explore challenges in a collaborative setting. You’ll also have the opportunity to seek guidance from our experienced trainer.
Volunteering Victoria
–
Free