People in the cancer community are oftentimes interested in shifting to more meaningful work after a cancer diagnosis – whether they are changing roles or returning to the workforce after treatment. They want to work for a cause they’re passionate about.

If this resonates with you and you’re currently job hunting for a more meaningful role, you’ve probably come across job postings in nonprofit organizations in your job search. But, what does it mean to work in a nonprofit? What is a nonprofit to begin with? You’re probably familiar with the term, but you might not know the specifics, or you may not be familiar with some of the language commonly used in the non-profit space.

In this article, Idealist walks us through some terminology you’re likely to come across as you explore jobs at nonprofit organizations. Below are a few to start getting familiar with.

• Nonprofit Organization: Organizations that do not generate a profit for its owners or shareholders and use any surplus income to expand services. While there are different classifications, most are classified as 501(c)3
• 501(c)3: Classification that specifies an organization as charitable and tax-exempt (which means donations received are tax-deductible)
• Mission: Statement that outlines an organization’s objectives and how it plans to achieve them
• Vision: Statement that clearly defines the overall goals of the organization, which the organization’s mission helps to achieve
• Board of Directors: Group of people that help steer an organization in the right direction to achieve its mission; responsibilities include planning for the future and following legal guidelines

If you’re interested in learning more nonprofit lingo, such as Direct Service, Annual Operating Budget and Giving Tuesday, check out this Idealist article.

For CAC Resources on finding meaningful work, visit: www.cancerandcareers.org/en/looking-for-work/exploring-your-options/finding-meaningful-work.