Nonprofit Recruiting and Workforce Learning Trends
Competition for talent in the nonprofit sector continues to grow, but so does the opportunity to meet it with smarter, more sustainable strategies. New data from LinkedIn's Nonprofit Talent Report 2025 reveals how recruiting and workforce learning are evolving, and how talent leaders across the nonprofit sector are responding.
From rising skill priorities to the role of AI, here are four trends to watch as you shape your organization's hiring and learning and development strategies.
1. Recruitment processes are under pressure, and optimization is essential
Recruiting with limited resources is nothing new for nonprofits; but today, speed, efficiency, and candidate experience are top priorities. According to the report, hard skills like project management (+35%), onboarding (+30%), and applicant tracking systems (+28%) are among the fastest-growing capabilities for nonprofit talent acquisition professionals.
More nonprofits are exploring generative AI tools, like those available in LinkedIn Recruiter, to help streamline manual tasks. These tools can summarize resumes, generate outreach messages, and enhance candidate matching—helping recruiters spend more time building real connections with quality candidates.
Learn more: 4 New Ways to Use AI for Hiring at Your Nonprofit
"The AI tools that LinkedIn has rolled out... have been incredible and time-saving." -Jessica Morton, VP of People, Teach For America
2. Both hard and soft skills are in high demand, with a focus on relational and analytical strength
Technology isn't the only focus. Nonprofit recruiters and learning leaders are also doubling down on core human-centered competencies. Interpersonal skills (+60%), critical thinking (+57%), and relationship building (+52%) are rising quickly, highlighting the need for professionals who can navigate complexity, build trust, and adapt in dynamic environments.
At the same time, hard skills like data analysis, operations management, and presentation delivery are becoming more essential. These capabilities help talent teams assess performance, measure learning outcomes, and lead with clarity, all critical in fast-moving, purpose-driven workplaces.
3. The shift toward skills-based hiring is slow, but gaining traction
Between 2020 and 2023, the share of nonprofit job posts on LinkedIn that did not require a degree saw a 14% increase. That growth reflects a broader sector-wide trend toward hiring based on capability, not credentials.
The data backs it up: nonprofits using skills-based search methods are 2.2% more likely to make a quality hire than those that don't. But implementing this approach takes intention and support-from job post templates to skills assessments and cultural buy-in. LinkedIn's guide to skills-based hiring is a helpful starting point.
4. Upskilling and AI education are critical for future readiness
AI is transforming the workforce, and nonprofits are taking note. Mentions of AI and generative AI in nonprofit job posts increased 2.6x between October 2022 and September 2024, outpacing the 2.0x growth of AI-skilled talent in the sector.
To close that gap, many nonprofits are turning to workforce learning. Platforms like LinkedIn Learning offer over 24,000 courses, including training on AI, data analysis, and leadership-all designed to be flexible and accessible for growing teams. These learning programs support internal mobility, engagement, and long-term retention.
Learn more: Dive into LinkedIn’s Workplace Learning Report 2025
Explore the full Nonprofit Talent Report 2025
These highlights only scratch the surface. The complete Nonprofit Talent Report 2025 includes more trends, benchmark data, and practical insights for HR teams, learning professionals, and nonprofit leaders alike.
Get the report to dive deeper into how your organization can build stronger, more resilient teams that are ready for whatever's next.
