Twin Cities mission-driven careers

Minneapolis–St. Paul Nonprofit Jobs & Twin Cities Careers

Search Minneapolis–St. Paul nonprofit jobs across healthcare, human services, behavioral health, education, foundations, arts and culture, housing, food security, environment, associations, fundraising and nonprofit leadership. Foundation List helps professionals explore opportunities throughout Minneapolis, Saint Paul and the wider Twin Cities while helping mission-driven employers reach qualified local and national talent.

Healthcare Human Services Education Foundations Arts & Culture Housing Environment Fundraising
Minneapolis Saint Paul skyline representing Twin Cities nonprofit jobs, healthcare careers, education employment and mission-driven organizations in Minnesota
The Twin Cities nonprofit economy connects Minneapolis and Saint Paul with major healthcare systems, universities, foundations, arts institutions and community organizations throughout the metropolitan region.
For Twin Cities employers

Compete for professionals in one of the Midwest's deepest talent markets

Reach nonprofit, healthcare, education, foundation, finance, development, HR, technology, communications, operations and executive professionals through a mission-focused audience.

For Minneapolis–St. Paul job seekers

Treat the Twin Cities as one connected career market

Search Minneapolis and Saint Paul separately, then expand into Bloomington, Edina, Roseville, Maplewood, Golden Valley, Plymouth and other nearby communities when appropriate.

One regional market, two distinct cities

Minneapolis and Saint Paul create complementary nonprofit career ecosystems

The Twin Cities work as one connected labor market, but each city has its own nonprofit concentrations. Minneapolis has a strong mix of healthcare, foundations, arts, universities and community organizations, while Saint Paul adds state government proximity, statewide associations, higher education and institutional nonprofits.

Minneapolis

Healthcare, foundations, arts & large institutions

Downtown Minneapolis, the University of Minnesota corridor, North Loop, Northeast and south Minneapolis support major healthcare, university, arts, philanthropy, youth and human-service employers.

Saint Paul

Associations, education, public policy & community services

Saint Paul's role as Minnesota's capital strengthens statewide associations, advocacy organizations, foundations and public-interest work alongside healthcare, education, museums and community-based nonprofits.

Twin Cities nonprofit economy

A nonprofit employment market with major institutional scale

Current nonprofit filing data identify more than twenty-six thousand organizations across the greater Minneapolis–St. Paul metropolitan area. The sector ranges from large health systems and senior-care organizations to foundations, universities, museums, food banks and neighborhood nonprofits.

26,610

Metro nonprofits

Organizations identified throughout the greater Twin Cities region.

566,806

Nonprofit employees

Reported employment across Twin Cities nonprofit organizations.

$77B+

Annual revenue

Combined annual revenue reported across the metro nonprofit sector.

$278B

Nonprofit assets

Combined assets reported by organizations throughout the region.

Why the Twin Cities stand out

Mission-driven institutions compete inside a sophisticated professional labor market

Minneapolis–St. Paul combines nationally significant healthcare systems, major universities, corporate philanthropy, foundations, arts organizations and an unusually well-developed nonprofit professional infrastructure.

That matters for careers because nonprofits recruit from the same labor market as major employers in finance, technology, manufacturing, healthcare and professional services. A finance director, data analyst, HR leader or software professional may have options across multiple sectors without leaving the metro.

The region also has a strong statewide nonprofit network. Minnesota Council of Nonprofits connects organizations through training, research, advocacy and professional events, making the sector easier to navigate than in many markets.

Healthcare anchors

Large nonprofit health systems create clinical, technical and professional careers.

Corporate philanthropy

Major regional employers support foundations, giving programs and nonprofit partnerships.

Arts institutions

Museums, theaters, orchestras and community arts create specialized nonprofit careers.

Statewide associations

Saint Paul's capital-city role strengthens membership and policy organizations.

Higher education

Universities and colleges create education, research and advancement careers.

Human services

Housing, food access, behavioral health and community services remain major mission areas.

Twin Cities workforce & nonprofit data

Current data reveal both opportunity and pressure inside the sector

The charts below use current nonprofit filing information, 2025 Minnesota Council of Nonprofits survey findings and May 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics data. BLS wages represent all industries, not nonprofit-specific salary estimates.

Nonprofit hiring team discussing how Minneapolis Saint Paul organizations can attract qualified applicants in a competitive Twin Cities labor market
Twin Cities employer strategy

Qualified applicants need more than a compelling mission

Twin Cities nonprofits recruit inside a labor market where professional wages are above the national average and candidates may be comparing opportunities across healthcare, education, corporate employers and government.

A strong nonprofit job posting should communicate salary, location, flexibility, real responsibilities and professional growth as clearly as it explains the mission.

Organizations should also distinguish genuine requirements from preferences. Unnecessarily long qualification lists can reduce the applicant pool without improving hiring quality.

Where Twin Cities nonprofit jobs are located

Search both cities and the suburban institutional corridors around them

The Minneapolis–St. Paul nonprofit market is highly distributed. Hospitals, universities, foundations and service organizations may be headquartered in Minneapolis or Saint Paul while operating programs throughout the metro.

Arts & civic

Downtown Minneapolis & North Loop

Arts, philanthropy, workforce organizations, associations and nonprofit headquarters.

University & research

University of Minnesota Corridor

Higher education, research, healthcare, student services and grant-funded work.

Community services

South Minneapolis

Housing, food security, youth programs, immigrant services and community health.

Arts & neighborhood organizations

Northeast Minneapolis

Arts, creative organizations, community development and cultural nonprofits.

Statewide organizations

Downtown Saint Paul & Capitol

State associations, advocacy organizations, government-related nonprofits and foundations.

Education & philanthropy

Macalester–Groveland & Summit

Colleges, foundations, education organizations and community programs.

Regional institutions

Bloomington

Healthcare, associations, education and regional nonprofit offices.

Healthcare & services

Edina & Golden Valley

Healthcare, human services, philanthropy and professional nonprofit offices.

East metro

Roseville & Maplewood

Healthcare, associations, education and community-serving organizations.

Minneapolis Saint Paul Bloomington Edina Golden Valley Roseville Maplewood Plymouth Minnetonka Eagan Eden Prairie Richfield Brooklyn Park Woodbury Shoreview
Twin Cities mission-driven sectors

The region offers nonprofit careers across nearly every professional discipline

HC

Healthcare

Hospitals, clinics, senior care, behavioral health and healthcare administration.

HS

Human services

Housing, food security, family services, homelessness response and community programs.

BH

Behavioral health

Counseling, recovery, community mental health and social work.

ED

Education

Universities, schools, student services, research and youth learning.

PH

Foundations

Grantmaking, donor services, community investment and foundation operations.

AC

Arts & culture

Museums, theater, music, arts education and cultural institutions.

EN

Environment

Land conservation, water, parks, climate and sustainability programs.

AS

Associations

Membership, policy, professional education, advocacy and events.

DV

Development

Major gifts, institutional giving, corporate partnerships and donor stewardship.

CM

Communications

Marketing, digital engagement, media relations and storytelling.

OP

Operations

Finance, HR, technology, compliance, facilities and administration.

EX

Leadership

CEO, Executive Director, COO, CFO, Vice President and senior leadership roles.

Healthcare & institutional careers

Large nonprofit institutions create thousands of professional career paths

Current filing data identify Fairview Health Services, Allina Health, Park Nicollet-related organizations and Presbyterian Homes among the major nonprofit employers in the Twin Cities region.

That means a nonprofit search should include far more than traditional program and fundraising roles. Large health and senior-service organizations also employ professionals in finance, HR, technology, data, communications, compliance, facilities and executive leadership.

For professionals transitioning from large corporate employers, these institutions can provide familiar organizational complexity while offering mission-driven work.

Hiring across Minneapolis–St. Paul?

Your nonprofit is competing with major private and institutional employers for talent

Twin Cities professionals can choose among corporations, health systems, universities, government employers and nonprofits. Mission is important, but salary, role quality, flexibility and career development also influence where strong candidates apply.

Foundation List helps nonprofit, foundation, education, healthcare and association employers reach professionals who are already interested in mission-driven work.

Mission-focused audience

Reach candidates intentionally exploring purpose-driven careers.

Local + national reach

Connect with Twin Cities professionals and relocation candidates.

Healthcare talent

Promote clinical, technical and professional opportunities.

Education professionals

Reach educators, administrators and student-service talent.

Fundraising talent

Recruit grants, development, stewardship and major-gifts professionals.

Leadership visibility

Promote director, vice president and executive openings.

Twin Cities organizations to research

Build an employer watchlist before the right opening appears

The Twin Cities contain major healthcare systems, universities, foundations, cultural organizations and human-service employers. Following their career pages gives candidates another way to discover openings.

Healthcare

Fairview Health Services

Clinical, professional, technology, finance, administrative and leadership careers.

Explore Fairview Careers →
Healthcare

Allina Health

Large nonprofit health system hiring across clinical and professional functions.

Explore Allina Careers →
Higher education

University of Minnesota

Research, education, administration, healthcare and advancement careers.

Explore University of Minnesota Careers →
Philanthropy

Minneapolis Foundation

Community philanthropy, donor services and regional grantmaking.

Explore Minneapolis Foundation →
Philanthropy

Saint Paul & Minnesota Foundation

Grantmaking, philanthropy and community investment across Minnesota.

Explore Saint Paul & Minnesota Foundation →
Food security

Second Harvest Heartland

Food access, logistics, fundraising and community partnerships.

Explore Second Harvest Heartland →
Arts

Walker Art Center

Museum, arts education, development, visitor experience and operations.

Explore Walker Art Center →
Arts

Guthrie Theater

Performing arts careers spanning production, development, communications and administration.

Explore Guthrie Theater →
Human services

People Serving People

Housing, family services, education and homelessness-response work.

Explore People Serving People →
Community health

Hennepin Healthcare

Healthcare, community medicine, professional services and health-system careers.

Explore Hennepin Healthcare Careers →
Human services

Amherst H. Wilder Foundation

Community services, research, health, aging and family-support programs.

Explore Wilder Foundation →
Environment

Freshwater Society

Water stewardship, education and environmental programs in Minnesota.

Explore Freshwater Society →
Education & youth hiring

Twin Cities schools and education nonprofits need a different recruiting strategy

Education employers compete for teachers, specialists, counselors, administrators and program staff across public schools, private schools, universities and mission-driven organizations.

Strong recruiting should communicate the student population, mission, instructional environment, support resources, salary, professional development and real workload expectations.

For nonprofit education organizations, it is also important to explain how the work differs from a traditional classroom role and how the position contributes to the organization's broader educational mission.

Education hiring professionals discussing how Minneapolis Saint Paul schools and nonprofits can recruit educators who advance their mission
Twin Cities nonprofit salary strategy

Use local professional benchmarks instead of generic nonprofit salary ranges

Minneapolis–St. Paul wages are above the national average overall, and compensation differs widely by professional specialty. The strongest salary comparison uses current occupational data plus the actual responsibilities, organizational scale and benefits.

Profession

Benchmark similar work

Compare finance with finance, healthcare with healthcare and technology with technology.

Competition

Consider the broader labor market

Nonprofits compete with corporate, healthcare, university and government employers.

Responsibility

Look beneath the title

Budgets, staff supervision, fundraising goals and program complexity matter.

Benefits

Evaluate total compensation

Health coverage, retirement, leave, tuition and flexibility can materially affect value.

Funding

Understand financial stability

Current nonprofit funding pressures make questions about grants and revenue diversification especially relevant.

Evidence

Compare current postings

Live comparable opportunities give useful evidence of what employers are paying now.

Minneapolis–St. Paul nonprofit job titles

Use several related titles to uncover more opportunities

Different employers can describe the same function differently. Create alerts around professional specialties and related job titles instead of waiting for one exact phrase.

Executive Director Chief Executive Officer Chief Operating Officer Chief Financial Officer Vice President Development Director Major Gifts Officer Grant Writer Grants Manager Foundation Relations Program Officer Program Director Program Manager Program Coordinator Case Manager Social Worker Behavioral Health Specialist Community Health Worker Patient Navigator Housing Program Manager Teacher Education Director Student Services Finance Director Controller HR Director Talent Acquisition Operations Director Communications Director Marketing Manager Data Analyst Evaluation Manager IT Manager Museum Educator Environmental Program Manager Community Engagement Manager
Twin Cities nonprofit job-search playbook

Ten ways to search the Minneapolis–St. Paul market more effectively

Search Minneapolis and Saint Paul separately

Employers frequently use the exact city name, so one search can miss opportunities in the other.

Add nearby suburbs

Bloomington, Edina, Roseville, Maplewood, Golden Valley and Plymouth contain regional employers.

Search by professional function

Use finance, healthcare, HR, technology, development or programs instead of only nonprofit.

Follow healthcare anchors

Large health systems employ professionals across nearly every business function.

Include associations

Saint Paul's capital-city environment supports statewide membership and policy organizations.

Track university employers

Universities regularly hire in research, advancement, administration and student services.

Quantify your impact

Show dollars raised, programs expanded, people served, systems improved or teams led.

Ask about workload

Current sector pressure makes staffing, caseload and funding questions especially important.

Use MCN and professional networks

Local nonprofit events can deepen your understanding of employers and sector trends.

Create several alerts

Use related titles and locations so one query does not define the entire market you see.

Twin Cities nonprofit networking & professional resources

Learn the local sector and build relationships before your next search

Nonprofit sector

Minnesota Council of Nonprofits

Research, training, advocacy, networking and nonprofit professional resources.

Explore Minnesota Council of Nonprofits →
Sector research

Current Conditions of Minnesota Nonprofits

Review current nonprofit funding, demand and operating conditions.

Explore Current Conditions →
Fundraising

AFP Minnesota

Professional development, networking and fundraising education.

Find AFP Chapter Resources →
Philanthropy

Minneapolis Foundation

Explore community philanthropy, grantmaking and nonprofit partnerships.

Explore Minneapolis Foundation →
Philanthropy

Saint Paul & Minnesota Foundation

Learn about statewide philanthropy and community investment.

Explore SPMCF →
Food security

Second Harvest Heartland

Explore hunger-relief work, volunteering and community partnerships.

Explore Second Harvest →
Human services

Amherst H. Wilder Foundation

Explore research, community services, health and family-support work.

Explore Wilder Foundation →
Environment

Freshwater Society

Explore water stewardship, education and conservation work.

Explore Freshwater Society →
Higher education

University of Minnesota

Explore academic, research, student-services and professional university careers.

Explore University Careers →
Explore more on Foundation List

Continue building your career or hiring strategy

Minneapolis

Minneapolis Job Search

Search current Foundation List opportunities specifically in Minneapolis.

Search Minneapolis Jobs →
Saint Paul

Saint Paul Job Search

Search current Foundation List opportunities specifically in Saint Paul.

Search Saint Paul Jobs →
Nationwide

U.S. Nonprofit Jobs

Expand your search to mission-driven opportunities across the country.

Explore U.S. Nonprofit Jobs →
Healthcare

Healthcare Careers

Explore clinical, professional and healthcare-administration opportunities.

Explore Healthcare Jobs →
Education

Education Careers

Search university, school and education-focused opportunities.

Explore Education Jobs →
Philanthropy

Foundation Careers

Learn about grantmaking, program officer and foundation operations roles.

Explore Foundation Careers →
Job seekers

Nonprofit Job-Seeking Tips

Improve your resume, networking, interviewing and nonprofit search strategy.

Explore Career Advice →
Employers

Attract Qualified Applicants

Learn how mission-driven organizations can improve applicant quality and recruiting results.

Read the Hiring Guide →
Education employers

Recruit Educators Who Advance Your Mission

Improve educator recruiting, positioning and candidate engagement.

Read the Education Hiring Guide →
Twin Cities employers

Candidates researching Minneapolis–St. Paul should be able to discover your opportunity

Professionals reaching this point have explored local salaries, employers, neighborhoods, sectors, hiring conditions and nonprofit resources. Give them a direct path from local career research to your opening.

Make the job easier to evaluate

State compensation, work location, hybrid expectations, responsibilities and genuine requirements clearly.

Given current sector pressure, candidates may also value clarity about staffing levels, funding stability and organizational priorities.

Current Twin Cities opportunities

Search Minneapolis & Saint Paul Nonprofit Jobs

The Twin Cities are best searched as two connected locations. The local feeds below keep Minneapolis and Saint Paul opportunities separate while disabling unrelated national backfill.

Minneapolis Nonprofit Jobs

Search Minneapolis nonprofit, healthcare, education, foundation and mission-driven opportunities.

Saint Paul Nonprofit Jobs

Search Saint Paul nonprofit, association, education, healthcare and mission-driven opportunities.

No job listings found.
Foundation List career & hiring resources

Read next: resources for Twin Cities candidates and employers

Continue with Foundation List guides covering career strategy, education hiring, healthcare, philanthropy and nonprofit recruiting.

Employer strategy

How Nonprofits Attract Qualified Applicants

Improve the quality and reach of your nonprofit applicant pool.

Read the Applicant Guide →
Education hiring

How to Recruit Educators Who Advance Your Mission

Improve teacher and education-professional recruiting.

Read the Educator Hiring Guide →
Job seekers

Nonprofit Job-Seeking Tips

Improve resumes, interviews, networking and mission-driven career strategy.

Explore Job-Seeker Advice →
Healthcare careers

Healthcare Nonprofit Careers

Explore career paths connecting healthcare expertise with mission-driven work.

Read the Healthcare Guide →
Foundation careers

Charitable Foundation Jobs

Understand grantmaking, donor services and foundation employment.

Explore Foundation Careers →
Philanthropy

Foundation & Philanthropy Jobs Explained

Learn about program officers, grants and philanthropic operations.

Read the Philanthropy Guide →
Employers

Guide to Nonprofit Job Advertising

Improve job positioning, candidate visibility and recruiting strategy.

Read the Employer Guide →
Job descriptions

Write Better Nonprofit Job Descriptions

Create clearer postings that help qualified candidates understand the opportunity.

Improve Your Job Description →
All resources

Foundation List Blog & Nonprofit News

Explore additional nonprofit career, sector and employer resources.

Visit the Foundation List Blog →
Minneapolis–St. Paul nonprofit jobs FAQ

Questions about nonprofit careers and hiring in the Twin Cities

How large is the Minneapolis–St. Paul nonprofit sector?

Current nonprofit filing data identify approximately 26,610 organizations across the greater Minneapolis–St. Paul metropolitan area. Together, those organizations report approximately 566,806 employees, more than $77 billion in annual revenue and about $278 billion in assets. The market includes major healthcare institutions, universities, foundations and thousands of smaller community organizations.

Should I search Minneapolis and Saint Paul separately?

Yes. Employers often list the exact municipality where an office, campus or program is located. Searching Minneapolis and Saint Paul independently, then adding nearby suburbs such as Bloomington, Edina, Roseville and Maplewood, can provide a more complete view of the Twin Cities nonprofit market.

What nonprofit sectors are especially important in the Twin Cities?

Healthcare, human services, education, philanthropy, arts and culture, housing, behavioral health and environmental organizations are all significant parts of the regional market. Saint Paul's capital-city role also supports statewide associations, advocacy organizations and public-policy work. Large institutions create professional careers in finance, HR, technology and operations in addition to program and fundraising roles.

Are Twin Cities wages competitive?

The Minneapolis–St. Paul metro had a mean hourly wage of $35.86 across all occupations in May 2025 compared with $33.54 nationally. Management averaged $71.77, healthcare practitioners $59.33 and business and financial operations $46.81. These are economy-wide labor-market benchmarks rather than nonprofit-specific salary averages.

Are there healthcare nonprofit jobs in Minneapolis–St. Paul?

Yes. Fairview Health Services, Allina Health and other major regional healthcare organizations employ large workforces. Career opportunities extend beyond clinical care into finance, HR, IT, data, communications, compliance, research, operations and leadership.

Are there foundation and philanthropy jobs in the Twin Cities?

Yes. The region has well-established community foundations and philanthropic organizations, including the Minneapolis Foundation and Saint Paul & Minnesota Foundation. Career areas can include program officer, grants management, donor services, community investment, evaluation, finance and foundation operations. Fundraising teams at operating nonprofits create additional philanthropy-related career paths.

Are there education nonprofit jobs in Minneapolis–St. Paul?

Yes. Universities, colleges, independent schools, youth organizations and education nonprofits hire teachers, counselors, administrators, advancement professionals and program staff. The University of Minnesota also creates research, student-services and professional career opportunities across multiple campuses and units.

What current pressures are Minnesota nonprofits facing?

Minnesota Council of Nonprofits reported in 2025 that 70% of surveyed organizations had experienced increased demand for services and 82% had seen higher business expenses. More than half reported decreased foundation grants, while 46% reported decreased government funding. Candidates should therefore ask thoughtful questions about staffing, funding stability and workload when evaluating opportunities.

How should I evaluate a Twin Cities nonprofit salary?

Start with the local occupational benchmark for the professional work you will actually perform. Compare responsibilities, seniority, employer scale, budget ownership, team size and benefits rather than using one generic nonprofit salary range. Current comparable job postings can also provide useful evidence of what employers are paying now.

Can I transition from corporate work into a Twin Cities nonprofit?

Yes. Twin Cities nonprofits and healthcare institutions hire professionals in finance, HR, technology, communications, data, operations, legal and project management. Your strongest application should demonstrate measurable professional accomplishments and then explain how those skills translate to the organization's mission and operating environment.

What Twin Cities nonprofit employers should I research?

Useful organizations to research include Fairview Health Services, Allina Health, University of Minnesota, Second Harvest Heartland, Minneapolis Foundation and Saint Paul & Minnesota Foundation. Candidates can also explore arts organizations such as Walker Art Center and Guthrie Theater as well as community organizations such as People Serving People and Wilder Foundation.

How can I network in the Twin Cities nonprofit community?

Minnesota Council of Nonprofits is one of the strongest local resources for sector research, professional events and nonprofit connections. Fundraising professionals can also explore AFP resources, while foundations and community organizations provide additional networking and volunteer opportunities. Approach networking as professional learning and relationship building rather than simply asking contacts for jobs.

Do Minneapolis–St. Paul nonprofits offer hybrid or remote work?

Some finance, fundraising, grants, technology, HR and communications positions may offer hybrid or remote arrangements. Healthcare, education, direct-service and community-program roles usually require more onsite presence. Review location, residency, travel and schedule expectations carefully because hybrid definitions vary by employer.

How can I get an entry-level nonprofit job in the Twin Cities?

Search coordinator, assistant, associate, program-support and direct-service positions where transferable skills can be demonstrated. Volunteer work, internships, academic projects and community engagement can provide additional experience. Focus applications on measurable contributions rather than relying only on enthusiasm for an organization's mission.

Why should a Minneapolis–St. Paul nonprofit post jobs on Foundation List?

Foundation List focuses on nonprofit, foundation, healthcare, education, association and other mission-driven employment. Twin Cities employers can reach professionals already exploring purpose-oriented careers while extending visibility beyond staff, board and referral networks. Additional reach can be particularly valuable in a market where nonprofits compete with major private and institutional employers.

What should Twin Cities employers include in a nonprofit job posting?

Clearly state compensation, work location, onsite or hybrid expectations, responsibilities and genuine qualification requirements. Explain what the new employee will own or accomplish and provide enough context about staffing and organizational priorities for candidates to evaluate the role. Clear, realistic postings can improve both applicant quality and candidate trust.

Your next opportunity in the Twin Cities

Find work that strengthens Minnesota communities, or find the people who can strengthen your organization

Minneapolis–St. Paul connects healthcare, education, philanthropy, human services, arts, housing and environmental organizations inside one of the Midwest's deepest professional labor markets. Foundation List helps candidates find those opportunities and helps employers reach people ready to contribute.

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