Faith-Based Non Profit Jobs

A faith-based organization is more than just a church or a synagogue. While these institutions certainly make available many faith-based jobs, there are also a number of charitable and philanthropic organizations that align themselves with the major religions, and these are also recognized and nonprofit organizations.

What is a faith-based nonprofit organization?

Faith-based organizations are those that have a significant amount of their activities that are religious in nature. This means that while religious activity does not have to be the only focus of the organization, it does have to be prevalent.

What are examples of faith-based organizations?

Hume Lake Christian Camps: Hume Lake Christian Camps is a year-round camp and retreat center for Christian youth and adults. In addition to annual summer camp activities, Hume Lake hosts speakers, bands, campfires, activities, innovative recreation and musical worship. Hume Lake is non-denominational, and open to youth, adults and family campers and is located in Northern California. Learn about summer camp jobs in another section of JobMonkey.

Catholic Charities: Catholic Charities is the largest network of social services organizations in the United States, and is committed to reducing poverty, supporting families and building communities. They do through the implementation of local housing programs, family strengthening programs, and disaster relief and preparedness programs. Each Catholic Charities regional office is operated under the auspices of the Archdiocese, with a national office in Alexandria, VA.

The Salvation Army: The Salvation Army is one of the largest and most well-known faith-based social services organizations in the country. Perhaps most visible is their annual Christmas Charity Drive, which you may know from Santa ringing his bell outside of Macy’s during the holidays. But where does this money go? It goes to summer camps, missing persons programs, services for the elderly and prisoner rehabilitation, just to name a few. The Salvation Army is headquartered in New York City, with offices across the country.

What are faith-based nonprofit jobs?

Humanitarian Relief Workers work in developing countries, often in refugee camps and other conflict areas offering food and other emergencies services to displaced populations. Humanitarian relief programs are overseen by a Program or Country Manager who lives and works full time in the region, forging relationships with local governments and other local support groups. Humanitarian relief with organizations like the International Rescue Committee and faith-based organizations can be hard work, but offer a real hands-on experience in a nonprofit job.

Camp Counselors work at the many faith-based summer camp and conference/retreat centers operated either by church governing bodies (like the Presbytery or Archdiocese) or by independent faith-based groups (like Hume Lake). In some cases, camp counselors are only employed in the summer months along with lifeguards, activity leaders and other seasonal employees. Camps that operate year-road are also in need of development staff, program directors, curriculum supervisors and worship leaders. Large camps offer the chance for creative people to get involved in a faith-based nonprofit organization, through arts, theater and musical programs for youth and adults attending camp.

Pastors, assistant pastors and youth program directors work within churches and other faith-based organizations to inspire and support the community through worship and education. Most leaders in faith-based organizations are required to have a Masters in Divinity.

You don’t have to be religious or denominational to work at a faith-based organization. In fact, many people who work in the administrative and outreach departments believe strongly in the mission of the faith-based organization, even if their own religious values do not come into the picture. While faith-based organizations are founded with religious values in mind, their missions are much like those of other nonprofit organizations: to bring about change for the people who need it most.