Nonprofit Jobs in Atlanta: Where to Look, What to Expect, and How to Get Hired

Atlanta has one of the strongest nonprofit communities in the Southeast. Whether you want to work on social justice, education, health, the arts, housing, or the environment, there are many ways to build a meaningful career here.

This guide explains how nonprofit jobs in Atlanta work, where to find them, what employers look for, and how to navigate local resources if you’re job-hunting in the city.

How the Nonprofit Job Market Works in Atlanta

Atlanta’s nonprofit sector includes:

• Large, national organizations with Atlanta headquarters or major offices
• Local community-based nonprofits serving specific neighborhoods or populations
• Foundations and grantmaking organizations
• Hospitals, universities, and cultural institutions that operate as nonprofits

Common areas of work include:

• Human services & housing (homelessness, food insecurity, domestic violence support)
• Education & youth development (after-school programs, mentoring, college access)
• Health & mental health (clinics, outreach, public health initiatives)
• Arts & culture (museums, theaters, cultural centers)
• Environment & sustainability
• Advocacy & civil rights

Hiring tends to follow general patterns:

• Entry-level roles are often in program support, case management, administrative support, outreach, and development/communications assistance.
• Mid-level roles focus on program management, fundraising, operations, and communications.
• Senior roles include directors, development executives, finance leaders, and CEOs.

Nonprofit salaries in Atlanta can vary. Some large institutions offer compensation that is competitive with corporate jobs, while smaller community organizations may pay less but sometimes offer flexible schedules, strong mission alignment, and opportunities to grow quickly.

Common Types of Nonprofit Jobs in Atlanta

Here are some frequent roles you’ll see in Atlanta nonprofit job postings:

Program & Service Roles

• Program Coordinator / Program Manager
• Case Manager / Case Worker (often in housing, re-entry, health, or youth services)
• Outreach Specialist / Community Engagement Coordinator
• Volunteer Coordinator
• Youth Program Staff / Teaching Artist / Mentor

These roles often involve direct work with clients or communities, planning activities, collecting data, and coordinating services.

Fundraising & Communications

• Development Coordinator / Development Manager (fundraising and donor relations)
• Grant Writer
• Events Coordinator / Events Manager
• Communications Specialist / Marketing Manager
• Digital Content or Social Media Coordinator

Atlanta’s nonprofits rely heavily on fundraising events, grants, and individual donors, so these roles are consistently in demand.

Operations, Finance, and Administration

• Administrative Assistant / Office Manager
• HR Specialist
• Finance Associate / Accountant / Controller
• Data & Evaluation Specialist

Larger organizations in Atlanta often hire full-time finance, HR, and IT staff, while smaller nonprofits may have combined or part-time roles.

Leadership & Specialized Roles

• Executive Director / CEO / COO
• Director of Development / Director of Programs
• Policy Analyst / Advocacy Director
• Clinical roles (licensed social workers, counselors, nurses, etc., at nonprofit clinics or agencies)

Many of these roles require previous nonprofit experience, advanced degrees, or professional licenses.

Where to Find Nonprofit Jobs in Atlanta

You can use most major job platforms to search “nonprofit jobs Atlanta” or “Atlanta nonprofit organizations,” but there are also local hubs and networks worth knowing.

1. Georgia Center for Nonprofits (GCN)

The Georgia Center for Nonprofits is a widely used resource in the state’s nonprofit sector.

Typical offerings include:

• A job board focused on Georgia nonprofit roles
• Trainings and workshops on fundraising, management, and leadership
• Networking events that bring together nonprofit professionals

Office location (check current details before visiting):
Georgia Center for Nonprofits
881 Memorial Dr SE
Atlanta, GA 30316
Phone: (404) 521-2000

GCN is frequently used by Atlanta nonprofits of all sizes to post vacancies, so it’s a good first stop if you want a sector-specific job search.

2. Major Atlanta Nonprofit Employers

Many large nonprofits and institutions in the metro area regularly recruit:

• Hospitals & Health Systems (nonprofit hospitals and health agencies)
• Atlanta-based universities and colleges with nonprofit status
• Major foundations and philanthropic organizations
• Large social service agencies (serving families, youth, older adults, and people experiencing homelessness)
• Museums, theaters, and cultural centers

Checking the “Careers” or “Employment” sections on the websites of major institutions you’re interested in is often more effective than waiting for jobs to appear on generic platforms.

3. Volunteer & Service Programs as a Pathway to Employment

Many people in Atlanta start with volunteer or service roles that turn into paid positions:

• Local AmeriCorps placements with Atlanta nonprofits
• City of Atlanta or Fulton/DeKalb County partnerships with community organizations
• Long-term volunteer positions that lead to part-time or full-time offers

Volunteering regularly with a nonprofit can give you:

• Local experience to put on your resume
• A better understanding of the organization’s culture and mission
• Referrals and insider knowledge about upcoming job postings

Skills Atlanta Nonprofits Commonly Look For

Most nonprofit job postings in Atlanta highlight a mix of professional skills and personal qualities.

Frequently requested skills:

• Communication skills (written and verbal)
• Project or program management
• Relationship-building with clients, partners, and donors
• Fundraising basics (for many roles, not just development staff)
• Data entry and reporting (often using simple databases or spreadsheets)
• Cultural competence and experience working with diverse communities
• Spanish or other language skills, depending on the community served

Helpful traits and qualities:

• Strong mission alignment and empathy
• Flexibility in a fast-changing environment
• Comfort working with limited resources or small teams
• Willingness to pitch in beyond a narrow job description

If you already live in Atlanta, understanding local neighborhoods, transit routes, and community resources is often a plus, especially in direct service or outreach roles.

Typical Nonprofit Career Paths in Atlanta

Below is a simple overview of how careers often progress in the local nonprofit sector:

These aren’t rigid tracks, but they show how skills build over time: direct service → program management → strategy and leadership.

Entry-Level Nonprofit Jobs in Atlanta: Getting Started

If you’re new to the sector or just out of school, you’ll likely be looking at roles such as:

• Program Assistant / Program Associate
• Case Manager (entry level) or Case Aide
• Volunteer Coordinator (junior)
• Administrative Assistant / Office Coordinator
• Development or Communications Assistant

Ways to strengthen your candidacy in Atlanta:

• Highlight campus or community involvement, especially with service organizations or student-run nonprofits.
• Include any volunteer work you’ve done with local organizations (food banks, shelters, youth programs, etc.).
• Emphasize customer service, teaching, coaching, or mentoring experience—many nonprofits value these.
• Show familiarity with Atlanta’s communities and issues, if applicable.

If you’re relocating to Atlanta, you can still build connections before arriving by:

• Joining virtual events, webinars, or info sessions hosted by local nonprofits.
• Reaching out politely to ask about volunteer opportunities or informational chats once you’re in town.

Mid-Career and Career Changers: Transitioning Into Atlanta Nonprofits

Many people in Atlanta move into nonprofits after working in corporate, government, or education roles.

Common transferable backgrounds:

• Sales or business development → Fundraising and development
• Project management or operations → Program management or operations roles
• Marketing or PR → Communications and community engagement
• Teaching or coaching → Youth program management or training roles

If you’re a career changer:

• Translate your experience into nonprofit language: “clients” can become “participants,” “sales goals” can become “fundraising goals,” “projects” can become “programs.”
• Emphasize any volunteer experience or board service, even if it was part-time.
• Be prepared to discuss salary expectations thoughtfully—some organizations can match corporate pay, others cannot, but many offer professional growth and mission-driven work.

Pay, Benefits, and Work Culture in Atlanta Nonprofits

Conditions vary widely, but some general patterns exist:

• Pay ranges depend heavily on size and funding. Large institutions and well-funded organizations often pay more.
• Benefits may include health insurance, retirement plans, paid time off, and professional development, but the specifics differ by employer.
• Some nonprofits offer hybrid or flexible schedules, especially for administrative, development, and communications staff.
• Direct-service roles sometimes require evenings, weekends, or on-call rotations, especially in shelters, crisis services, or youth programs.

When you interview, it is reasonable to ask about:

• Work hours and expectations
• Support for staff well-being, especially in emotionally demanding roles
• Growth and promotion pathways within the organization

Using Local Resources When Job Hunting

Workforce and Career Centers

Metro Atlanta has several workforce development centers that can help with:

• Resume and cover letter reviews
• Job search strategies
• Skills training and certifications

Examples of public workforce resources in the Atlanta area include centers operated or supported by WorkSource Atlanta and surrounding county programs. These centers often have information on nonprofit employers and training relevant to human services, administration, or community work.

For current locations and hours, you can contact:

WorkSource Atlanta
City of Atlanta workforce development office
Phone: (404) 546-3000

(Call or check their most recent information to confirm addresses and services.)

Libraries and Community Spaces

Local public libraries in Atlanta and Fulton/DeKalb Counties commonly offer:

• Job search workshops
• Free access to computers and printers
• Quiet space to work on applications and interviews

Some branches also host nonprofit info sessions or career fairs.

How to Stand Out When Applying for Nonprofit Jobs in Atlanta

To strengthen your applications:

1. Tailor your resume and cover letter to the mission.
Show that you understand the specific community or issue the organization works on in Atlanta—whether it’s affordable housing, refugee services, youth mentoring, or arts access.

2. Show local ties where possible.
Mention relevant Atlanta experience: local schools, neighborhoods, community groups, or previous jobs that relate to the populations served.

3. Highlight measurable results.
Even in nonprofit roles, employers value clear outcomes. For example:

• “Coordinated volunteers to serve 150 families weekly”
• “Supported fundraising events that raised a defined amount”
• “Managed caseload of 30 clients with consistent follow-up”

4. Prepare for mission-focused interview questions.
You may be asked why you care about their cause, how you handle difficult client situations, or how you balance compassion with boundaries and policies.

5. Network within the sector.
Attend local nonprofit events, workshops, and panels. Many Atlanta nonprofit jobs are shared within networks or recommended by current staff before being widely posted.

If You’re New to Atlanta or Just Visiting

If you’re visiting Atlanta and considering a move into nonprofit work here:

• Use your trip to attend one or two public events hosted by community organizations, museums, or advocacy groups—it’s a good way to see how the sector feels on the ground.
• Schedule informational meetings with people working at organizations you admire; many are open to brief conversations if approached respectfully.
• Explore different neighborhoods and note where major nonprofits, service centers, and cultural institutions are located—understanding the city’s layout helps in jobs that require community outreach or travel.

Quick Checklist: Starting a Nonprofit Job Search in Atlanta ✅

• Clarify which cause areas matter most to you (youth, health, housing, arts, environment, etc.)
• Search “non profit jobs Atlanta” and refine by your skills (programs, fundraising, communications, admin)
• Check Georgia Center for Nonprofits and major local employers’ “Careers” pages
• Update your resume to highlight service, community work, and measurable results
• Consider volunteering with an Atlanta nonprofit to build experience and connections
• Use local workforce resources and libraries for resume help and job search support
• Network at workshops, community events, and nonprofit gatherings around the city

By focusing your search on Atlanta’s active nonprofit community and using the local resources available, you can find roles that match your skills while contributing directly to the city’s people and neighborhoods.