Your Guide to Becoming a Nonprofit Admin: Skills, Roles, and Growth

If you're passionate about mission-driven work and love organizing, leading, and supporting teams, a career in nonprofit administration might be a perfect fit! From entry-level coordinators to experienced executive assistants and office managers, nonprofit administrators keep critical programs and operations running smoothly behind the scenes.

Here’s your go-to guide to understanding the role, developing the right skills, and building a long-term career in nonprofit administration.

What Does a Nonprofit Administrator Do?

Nonprofit administrators wear many hats. Depending on the size of the organization, you might be the go-to for everything from board meeting prep to budget tracking to event logistics. While job titles vary—Administrative Coordinator, Office Manager, Executive Assistant—the core responsibilities typically fall into four areas:

• Organizational Communication: Drafting emails, taking meeting minutes, sharing internal updates

• Executive Support & Operations: Managing calendars, booking travel, preparing reports

• Task & Project Management: Coordinating events, tracking deadlines, overseeing vendor relationships

• Processes & Procedures: Maintaining filing systems, managing office supplies, creating SOPs
  

In fact, the 2025 ASAP State of the Profession Report found that APs (admin professionals) across all sectors, including nonprofit, report an average of 24 distinct tasks as part of their regular responsibilities. 

Skills Every Nonprofit Admin Needs

Whether you’re just starting out your career or looking to grow into your next role, these are the top skills you’ll want to sharpen:

• Communication: Clear writing, active listening, and presentation abilities

• Technology: Tools like Microsoft Office, SharePoint, Canva, and project management platforms (e.g., Asana or Trello)

• Efficiency: Multitasking, time management, and workflow automation

• Leadership: Strategic thinking, decision-making, and collaboration across departments
  

According to our latest report, technology and leadership skills are the top areas APs want to improve in 2025, and they’re especially valuable in nonprofit environments where teams are lean and resources are limited. 

Do You Need a Nonprofit Administration Degree?

Not necessarily. While a degree in nonprofit administration, public administration, or business can be helpful, hands-on experience and professional development often matter more. Many successful nonprofit administrators start with administrative assistant roles and grow into higher-level positions through on-the-job training and targeted learning opportunities.

One of the most effective ways to build credibility (and boost your salary potential) is through certification. For example, the Professional Administrative Certification of Excellence (PACE) is a nationally recognized program that helps admins build core competencies, and PACE-certified professionals often earn $5K–$6K more annually than their peers. 

Career Path and Growth Opportunities

Nonprofit admin roles often align with ASAP’s Career Stages Framework:

• Stage 1: Assisting – Entry-level; focused on clerical support and organization.

• Stage 2: Supporting – More autonomy; managing projects and making decisions.

• Stage 3: Partnering – Strategic collaboration with leadership; team management.

• Stage 4: Leading – Senior-level; shaping initiatives and advising executives.
  

The title “nonprofit administrator” might not always appear on a job listing, but roles like Administrative Coordinator, Executive Assistant, and Project Manager in nonprofit settings are excellent stepping stones. And while nonprofit compensation tends to be lower than corporate, APs in this sector still report steady growth and increasing access to professional development funding. 

How to Get Started (and Keep Growing)

Here are a few steps to launch or level-up your career in nonprofit administration:

• Volunteer or intern at a nonprofit to gain real-world experience

• Build tech fluency by learning tools commonly used in nonprofit environments (think: Canva, Excel, Asana)

• Get certified through a respected program like PACE

• Ask about funded training, as many organizations have a budget for professional development, especially for staff who take initiative

• Join a community like ASAP to network with other administrative professionals, gain insights, and access growth resources
  

Ready to grow in your nonprofit admin career?

Whether you’re just starting or already supporting your organization’s mission in a big way, get started forwarding your career today. 

Learn More: ASAP Membership