In 2022, 12.8 million individuals worked in nonprofit organization positions, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), making up nearly 10% of the nation’s private workforce. Steering these nonprofits and overseeing those employees are experienced directors, managers, officers, and others in leadership roles.
For anyone interested in working in nonprofit leadership, including in ministry, earning an advanced degree is an excellent way to gain management expertise and open up new career opportunities. Following is an overview of the degrees that prospective and current nonprofit leaders can pursue and some potential nonprofit management career options.
Nonprofit Management Degrees
Professionals who wish to manage nonprofit organizations need to have the right experience and education to qualify for these roles. Earning a bachelor’s degree in management, business, or education can provide a solid foundation in the field, and many individuals who are preparing for senior-level positions go on to earn an advanced degree as well, such as a Master of Business Administration (MBA).
For professionals interested in pursuing a career of service working for Christian nonprofits, earning a Master of Arts (MA) in Christian Ministry can be a good choice. With its emphasis on Christian leadership, this specialized degree program focuses on servant leadership principles alongside practical skills in communication and organizational development. It is designed to enable graduates to lead with integrity and compassion in faith-based careers.
Earning a Master of Arts in Leadership with an emphasis in Ministry Leadership can also be a great option for professionals who want to pursue religious nonprofit management positions to gain a strong educational foundation. MA in Leadership programs provide individuals with a background in leadership theory and practice that can help graduates ethically guide nonprofit organizations, and also offer concentrations in areas such as public administration, global leadership, and organizational leadership.
Nonprofit Management Careers
Researching possible nonprofit careers can help individuals decide on the right degree to pursue. Possible roles range from financial management and public relations jobs to executive positions in both secular and faith-based nonprofits. The following are a few of the many nonprofit management career options available.
Chief Executive Officer or Executive Director
Chief executive officers (CEOs), or executive directors, depending on the nonprofit, are organizations’ highest ranking managers. They formulate their organization’s overall direction and oversee all its employees. CEOs often have a master’s degree related to their field, such as an MBA or an MA in Christian Ministry for faith-based nonprofits.
The BLS reports that all chief executives had a median annual salary of $213,990 in 2025, although compensation in the nonprofit sector typically falls in the lower end of the range. The BLS projects a 3% increase in positions for all chief executives between 2025 and 2035.
Public Relations Manager
Public relations (PR) managers for nonprofits help develop their organizations’ public-facing image and identity to reach their target audiences. They may also be referred to as communications, marketing, or storytelling leads. They often work to build public awareness.
All public relations managers had a median annual salary of $146,910 in 2025, according to the BLS, though compensation for those working in the nonprofit sector tends to be slightly lower than the median. Positions for public relations managers are expected to increase 6% between 2025 and 2035, according to the BLS.
Major Gifts Officer
Major gifts officers, also called fundraising managers, work to help attract financial contributions to their organizations by developing relationships with potential donors. They play a critical role in enabling nonprofits to sustain themselves over the long term.
Fundraising managers for religious, civic, and related organizations had a median annual salary of $126,590 in 2025, according to the BLS. The job outlook for fundraising managers is positive, with the BLS projecting 5% growth between 2025 and 2035.
Social and Community Service Manager
Social and community service managers help develop and oversee nonprofit community programs and supervise staff. In Christian nonprofits, they may work on programs designed to assist low-income families, the elderly, young children, or people experiencing food scarcity or homelessness.
The BLS reports that social and community service managers at religious, civic, and grant-making organizations had a median annual salary of $79,990 in 2025. The job growth rate is expected to be 7% for social and community service managers between 2025 and 2035, according to the BLS.
Human Resources Manager
Human resources (HR) managers support the hiring process for nonprofits by screening job applicants, conducting interviews, and assisting with onboarding for newly hired workers. They often help develop their organization’s culture and manage its employee relations. HR managers may also help recruit and train volunteers, who can play a significant role in nonprofits’ operations.
The BLS reports that all human resources managers had a median annual salary of $149,280 in 2025, though those working in the nonprofit sector tend to have salaries slightly below the median. HR managers are projected to see job growth of 6% between 2025 and 2035, according to the BLS.
Advance in Your Career in Nonprofit Leadership
Professionals pursuing nonprofit management careers do work that is both challenging and rewarding. Gaining the right educational foundation can open new doors for aspiring and current nonprofit managers. Mid-America Christian University offers both a hybrid and an online MA in Christian Ministry program and a 100% online MA in Leadership with an emphasis in Ministry Leadership program, either of which can help you prepare for faith-based nonprofit management positions.
MACU’s MA in Christian Ministry program offers six areas of emphasis to choose from, including Christian leadership, with courses covering advanced professional communications, nonprofit leadership, and leadership theory and practice. MACU’s MA in Leadership includes coursework on global team leadership, decision-making, data analytics, and financial development.
Find out how Mid-America Christian University’s flexible business and ministry degree programs can help you become a leader in nonprofit management.
Recommended Readings
How to Become a Chaplain
Types of Ministry Degrees
Making a Calling a Career: Graduate Shamra Hicks’ Master’s in Leadership Experience at MACU
Sources:
Alabama Association of Nonprofits, Major Gifts Officer Overview
FaithGigs, Christian Nonprofit Jobs at Faith Based Organizations Hiring Now
Indeed, “8 Types of Degrees for Nonprofits (With Jobs)”
Indeed, “10 Nonprofit Management Careers (With Salaries and Duties)”
Independent Sector, Nonprofit Sector State Profiles
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Human Resources Managers
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Nonprofit Sector Research Data
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Public Relations and Fundraising Managers
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Social and Community Service Managers
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Top Executives