17 Best Nonprofit Recruiting Firms Reviewed in 2025
10 Best Nonprofit Recruiting Firms Shortlist
Here's my pick of the 10 best services providers from the 17 we reviewed.
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Hiring for a nonprofit means finding people who care about your mission as much as their job. That’s where nonprofit recruiting firms come in. These agencies specialize in helping mission-driven organizations hire the right people, whether it's for executive roles, fundraising, or program management.
Unlike general staffing firms, nonprofit recruiters understand the unique needs of the sector, from limited budgets to values-driven hiring. They save you time by finding candidates who align with your goals and culture.
In this article, I’ve rounded up the top nonprofit recruiting firms and what they offer. Whether you're hiring your next leader or building a new team, this guide will help you find a trusted partner and make smarter hiring decisions.
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Best Nonprofit Recruiting Firms Summary
This comparison chart summarizes pricing details for my top nonprofit recruiting firms selections to help you find the best one for your budget and business needs.
| Service | Best For | Trial Info | Price | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Best for temporary staffing | Free consultation available | Pricing upon request | Website | |
| 2 | Best for leadership roles | Trial options not available | Pricing upon request | Website | |
| 3 | Best for board placements | Free consultation available | Pricing upon request | Website | |
| 4 | Best for temporary roles | Free trial options available | Pricing upon request | Website | |
| 5 | Best for diverse candidates | Free consultation available | Pricing upon request | Website | |
| 6 | Best for fundraising talent | Free consultation available | Pricing upon request | Website | |
| 7 | Best for Chicago area | Free consultation available | Pricing upon request | Website | |
| 8 | Best for executive searches | Trial options not available | Pricing upon request | Website | |
| 9 | Best for healthcare nonprofits | Free consultation available | Pricing upon request | Website | |
| 10 | Best for mission-driven talent | Free consultation available | Pricing upon request | Website |
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Guru
Visit WebsiteThis is an aggregated rating for this tool including ratings from Crozdesk users and ratings from other sites.4.6 -
Absorb LMS
Visit WebsiteThis is an aggregated rating for this tool including ratings from Crozdesk users and ratings from other sites.4.6 -
Mitratech Trakstar
Visit WebsiteThis is an aggregated rating for this tool including ratings from Crozdesk users and ratings from other sites.4.3
Best Nonprofit Recruiting Firms Reviews
Below are my detailed summaries of the best nonprofit recruiting firms that made it onto my shortlist. My reviews provide an overview of each provider’s key services, unique specialties, and pros and cons to help you find the best one for your needs.
Sparks Group Nonprofit Recruiters offers staffing solutions tailored for nonprofit organizations, focusing on temporary, contract, and permanent placements. They serve a diverse range of nonprofit leaders, helping them find skilled professionals for various roles.
Why I picked Sparks Group Nonprofit Recruiters: Their focus on temporary staffing solutions makes them ideal for nonprofits needing quick and flexible hiring. They offer tailored approaches to meet your specific staffing needs, whether for short-term projects or ongoing roles. Their extensive network ensures you have access to a broad pool of candidates ready to fill your open positions efficiently.
Standout Services: Sparks Group Nonprofit Recruiters provides contract staffing services, allowing you to bring in skilled professionals for specific projects or timeframes, helping you manage workload fluctuations. Their direct hire recruitment services focus on finding permanent talent that aligns with your organization's culture and goals, ensuring long-term success.
Target industries: Nonprofit, healthcare, education, arts, and social services.
Specialties: Temporary staffing, contract staffing, permanent placements, direct hire recruitment, and nonprofit staffing.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Provides direct hire recruitment
- Offers contract staffing solutions
- Focus on temporary staffing
Cons:
- Less experienced candidate pool
- Pricing not disclosed
Kittleman & Associates specializes in executive search for nonprofit organizations, with a primary focus on placing CEOs and executive directors. They serve a wide range of nonprofit sectors, including health, conservation, and community foundations.
Why I picked Kittleman & Associates: Their dedication to leadership roles in nonprofits sets them apart. With a 96% placement success rate, they ensure your leadership team is equipped with experienced individuals. Their team’s background in nonprofit leadership offers your organization hands-on support throughout the recruitment process.
Standout Services: Kittleman & Associates provides hands-on support during the talent acquisition process, ensuring your team receives tailored assistance while searching for key leaders. Their focus on continuous improvement in search processes addresses the evolving needs of nonprofits, helping you adapt efficiently to changes.
Target industries: Health, conservation, community foundations, arts, and education.
Specialties: CEO placements, Executive Director roles, nonprofit leadership, executive search, and hands-on support.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- High placement success rate
- Experienced team members
- Focus on leadership roles
Cons:
- Focuses mainly on executive roles
- Requires direct contact for details
BoardWalk Consulting specializes in executive search and board placement services for nonprofit organizations. They focus on finding leadership talent for a diverse range of nonprofits, ensuring boards are equipped with qualified and mission-aligned members.
Why I picked BoardWalk Consulting: Their expertise in board placements makes them a valuable resource for nonprofits looking to strengthen governance. They offer tailored search processes to find board members who bring diverse perspectives and skills to your organization. Their commitment to mission alignment ensures that the candidates they recommend are not only qualified but also share your organization's values and goals.
Standout Services: BoardWalk Consulting offers leadership transition services to help your organization navigate changes in executive positions smoothly, ensuring continuity and stability. Their governance consulting services provide insights into strengthening your board's effectiveness, helping you achieve strategic goals and enhance overall performance.
Target industries: Education, healthcare, arts, social services, and philanthropy.
Specialties: Executive search, board placements, leadership transition, governance consulting, and nonprofit leadership.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Focus on mission alignment
- Offers governance consulting
- Specializes in board placements
Cons:
- Requires direct contact for details
- Pricing not disclosed
Scion Nonprofit Staffing is a San Francisco award-winning nonprofit staffing agency, offering services including temporary staffing, direct hire recruiting, and executive search. They primarily serve sectors such as administration, finance, IT, marketing, and healthcare, with a focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Why I picked Scion Nonprofit Staffing: Scion Nonprofit Staffing focuses on temporary roles, making them unique among nonprofit recruiting firms. They offer a vast candidate network, which ensures your team can quickly find qualified temporary staff. This can be particularly beneficial if you're looking to fill short-term positions without the hassle of a lengthy search.
Standout Services: Scion Nonprofit Staffing offers direct hire recruiting, which connects you with candidates for permanent positions, addressing the need for stable, long-term team members. Their executive search service is designed to help you find top-level talent, ensuring your leadership positions are filled with the most qualified individuals.
Target industries: Administration, finance, IT, marketing, and healthcare.
Specialties: Temporary staffing, direct hire recruiting, executive search, diversity, and inclusion.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Large candidate network
- Strong diversity commitment
- Focus on temporary staffing
Cons:
- Emphasis on temporary roles
- Limited to nonprofit sector
PNP Staffing Group specializes in providing staffing solutions for nonprofit organizations, focusing on temporary, temp-to-hire, and permanent positions. They serve a wide range of nonprofit sectors, helping organizations find skilled candidates who align with their mission.
Why I picked PNP Staffing Group: PNP Staffing Group’s commitment to diversity ensures that your team can access a wide pool of candidates from various backgrounds. They offer tailored recruitment strategies to help you find diverse talent that fits your organization's needs.
With offices in New York, Washington, DC, Chicago, and San Francisco, their extensive network provides access to candidates who might not be found through traditional recruiting methods.
Standout Services: PNP Staffing Group provides temp-to-hire services, allowing you to evaluate candidates on the job before making a permanent hiring decision, which reduces hiring risks. Their diversity recruitment services focus on connecting you with candidates from varied backgrounds, enhancing your team's inclusivity and innovation.
Target industries: Nonprofit, education, healthcare, arts, and social services.
Specialties: Temporary staffing, temp-to-hire, permanent placements, diversity recruitment, and nonprofit staffing.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Provides diversity recruitment
- Extensive candidate network
- Offers temp-to-hire options
Cons:
- Mainly focuses on staffing solutions
- Requires direct contact for details
The Batten Group offers executive search and consulting services specifically tailored to the nonprofit sector, with a focus on roles in fundraising, leadership, and development. Their main client base includes nonprofit organizations looking for skilled professionals in these key areas.
Why I picked The Batten Group: The Batten Group specializes in fundraising talent, making them a go-to for nonprofits needing development professionals. They offer targeted search processes to help you find individuals who can drive your fundraising efforts. Their deep understanding of the nonprofit landscape ensures they match the right talent to your specific needs.
Standout Services: The Batten Group offers leadership development services, which help strengthen your team's capabilities by identifying potential leaders within your organization. Their consulting services provide strategic guidance to optimize your fundraising strategies, helping you achieve your organization's financial goals.
Target industries: Nonprofit, healthcare, education, arts, and social services.
Specialties: Fundraising talent, executive search, leadership development, consulting, and development roles.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Deep nonprofit sector knowledge
- Offers strategic consulting
- Specializes in fundraising roles
Cons:
- Requires direct contact for details
- Focuses mainly on fundraising
Careers In Nonprofits provides staffing and recruitment services tailored for nonprofit organizations, focusing on both temporary and permanent placements. Their primary client base includes nonprofit professionals in various sectors looking to fill roles in administration, development, and operations.
Why I picked Careers In Nonprofits: Their focus on the Chicago area ensures they have a strong local presence, making it easier to connect your team with qualified candidates nearby. They offer personalized recruitment strategies to meet the unique needs of nonprofits in the region. Their in-depth understanding of the local nonprofit landscape helps you find candidates who are both skilled and mission-driven.
Standout Services: Careers In Nonprofits offers temporary staffing services to help you quickly fill short-term vacancies with qualified professionals who can hit the ground running. Their resume review services provide valuable feedback to job seekers, helping them improve their chances of landing the right role.
Target industries: Education, healthcare, arts, social services, and philanthropy.
Specialties: Temporary staffing, permanent placements, administration roles, development positions, and operations.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Personalized recruitment strategies
- Offers resume review services
- Strong local presence
Cons:
- Limited geographical focus
- Requires direct contact for details
Lindauer Executive Search focuses on nonprofit recruitment, with expertise in executive leadership, fundraising, and marketing roles. They serve sectors such as education, healthcare, the arts, and faith-based organizations, with a strong commitment to diversity and inclusion.
Why I picked Lindauer Executive Search: Lindauer Executive Search's expertise in executive recruiting sets them apart, with a focus on high-profile roles across various nonprofit sectors. With a consultative approach, they ensure your leadership positions are filled with individuals who align with your mission. Their dedication to diversity is evident, with a significant portion of placements being individuals of color and women.
Standout Services: Lindauer Executive Search provides talent management services, helping you maintain a strong leadership pipeline to meet future needs. Their diversity initiatives focus on integrating organizational values into the search process, ensuring your team reflects a wide array of backgrounds and perspectives.
Target industries: Education, healthcare, arts, policy, and charities.
Specialties: Executive leadership, fundraising, marketing, diversity initiatives, and nonprofit hiring.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Experienced in nonprofit sector
- Global service reach
- Strong diversity commitment
Cons:
- Limited to nonprofit sector
- Focus on high-level roles
The Moran Company provides executive search services tailored for nonprofit organizations, with a focus on leadership roles in healthcare and human services. They work with nonprofit clients to find experienced leaders who align with their mission and goals.
Why I picked The Moran Company: The Moran Company specializes in healthcare nonprofits, making them an ideal choice for organizations in this sector. They understand the unique needs of healthcare nonprofits and offer targeted search services to find leaders who can navigate complex challenges.
Their search committee’s expertise ensures that your leadership roles are filled with individuals who are both qualified and mission-driven.
Standout Services: The Moran Company offers board development services, which help strengthen your organization's governance by identifying and recruiting effective board members. Their succession planning services ensure continuity in leadership, helping you prepare for future transitions and maintain stability.
Target industries: Healthcare, human services, education, environment, and social services.
Specialties: Executive search, leadership roles, healthcare nonprofits, board development, and succession planning.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Provides succession planning
- Offers board development
- Specializes in healthcare nonprofits
Cons:
- Requires direct contact for details
- Mainly focuses on healthcare
DRG Talent specializes in executive search and recruitment services for mission-driven organizations, focusing on leadership roles that align with their clients' values and missions. They work with a variety of nonprofit sectors to find leaders who are committed to making a difference.
Why I picked DRG Talent: Their focus on mission-driven talent ensures you find candidates who are passionate about your cause. They use a tailored approach to connect your team with leaders who fit your organizational culture and goals. Their extensive experience in the nonprofit sector makes them a trusted partner in leadership searches.
Standout Services: They offer talent advisory services that provide strategic insights into your recruitment processes, helping you improve how you attract and retain top talent. Their candidate development services focus on preparing candidates for leadership roles, ensuring they're ready to make an impact from day one.
Target industries: Education, healthcare, arts, social services, and philanthropy.
Specialties: Executive search, leadership roles, mission-driven recruitment, talent advisory, and candidate development.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Extensive nonprofit experience
- Offers talent advisory services
- Focus on mission-driven talent
Cons:
- Mainly focuses on leadership roles
- Pricing not disclosed
Other Nonprofit Recruiting Firms
Here are some additional nonprofit recruiting firms that didn’t make it onto my shortlist, but are still worth checking out:
- Scion Executive Search
For national reach
- Cooper Coleman LLC
For small nonprofits
- Maneva Group
For customized search solutions
- Cowen Partners
For executive diversity hiring
- Russell Reynolds Associates
For global reach
- Nonprofit HR Executive Search
For HR leadership roles
- Nonprofit Talent
For regional expertise
What Are Nonprofit Recruiting Firms?
Nonprofit recruiting firms are specialized agencies that help nonprofit organizations find and hire qualified professionals. They might offer things like:
- Executive search and placement
- Temporary staffing solutions
- Diversity recruitment strategies
- Leadership development programs
- Board member placements
Nonprofit organizations, particularly those in leadership and human resource departments, typically seek out these firms to fill crucial roles and address challenges like finding mission-aligned talent and improving organizational leadership.
Nonprofit Recruiting Firms Selection Criteria
When selecting the best nonprofit recruiting firms to include in this list, I considered common business needs and pain points that these providers address. This included things like finding mission-driven talent and improving leadership quality. I also used the following framework to keep my evaluation structured and fair:
Core Services (25% of total score): To be considered for inclusion in this list, each provider had to offer these basic services:
- Executive search and placement
- Temporary staffing solutions
- Diversity recruitment strategies
- Leadership development programs
- Board member placements
Additional Standout Services (25% of total score): To help further narrow down the competition, I also looked for unique or especially valuable services, such as:
- Succession planning assistance
- Specialized sector expertise
- Global recruitment capabilities
- Talent assessment tools
- Strategic consulting services
Industry Experience (10% of total score): To get a sense of the industry experience of each provider, I considered the following:
- Years in business
- Number of successful placements
- Client testimonials
- Industry-specific knowledge
- Reputation in the nonprofit sector
Onboarding (10% of total score): To evaluate the onboarding experience for each provider, I considered the following:
- Clarity of process
- Speed of integration
- Availability of training materials
- Support during the initial phase
- Customization options
Customer Support (10% of total score): To assess the level of customer support each provider offers, I considered the following:
- Availability of support channels
- Responsiveness to inquiries
- Quality of assistance provided
- Access to dedicated account managers
- Availability of resources and guides
Value For Price (10% of total score): To evaluate the pricing and potential ROI of working with each provider, I considered the following:
- Transparency of pricing
- Competitiveness against industry averages
- Flexibility of pricing models
- Alignment of cost with services offered
- Feedback on value from existing clients
Customer Reviews (10% of total score): To get a sense of the overall satisfaction of existing customers, I considered the following when reading customer reviews:
- Overall satisfaction ratings
- Specific feedback on service quality
- Comments on staff professionalism
- Reports on successful placements
- Client retention rates
How to Choose a Nonprofit Recruiting Firm
It’s easy to get bogged down in long lists of services and complex pricing structures. To help you prioritize the things that matter most for your business, keep the following factors in mind:
| Factor | What to Consider |
| Business Objectives | Ensure the provider understands your mission and goals. They should align with your objectives and offer tailored solutions that support your nonprofit's specific needs. |
| Service Scope and SLAs | Check their service offerings and service-level agreements. Make sure they cover the roles you're looking to fill and have clear performance guarantees. |
| Support Availability | Evaluate their customer support options. Your team should have access to help when you need it, whether through phone, email, or live chat. |
| Costs and Pricing Structure | Understand their pricing models and ensure transparency. Look for options that fit your budget while providing the necessary services. |
| Communication and Reporting | Assess their communication style and reporting frequency. They should keep you informed with regular updates and be open to feedback throughout the process. |
| Industry Experience | Consider their experience in your specific sector. Providers with a history of successful placements in your industry can better understand your needs. |
| Cultural Fit | Look for a provider that matches your organizational culture. They should be able to identify candidates who align with your values and work environment. |
| Reputation | Research their reputation through reviews and testimonials. A provider with positive feedback from similar organizations can be a reliable choice. |
Key Nonprofit Recruiting Firms Services
When selecting a nonprofit recruiting firm, keep an eye out for the following key services:
- Executive search: Focuses on finding qualified leaders for top roles, ensuring your organization has strong leadership.
- Temporary staffing: Provides short-term staffing solutions to fill immediate vacancies and manage workload fluctuations.
- Diversity recruitment: Connect you with candidates from varied backgrounds, enhancing inclusivity and innovation.
- Board placement: Identifies and recruits effective board members to strengthen your organization's governance.
- Leadership development: Offers programs to enhance the skills of current and future leaders within your organization.
- Succession planning: Help prepare for leadership transitions to ensure continuity and stability within your team.
- Talent advisory: Provides strategic insights into recruitment processes to improve how you attract and retain top talent.
- Strategic consulting: Offers guidance on improving recruitment strategies and aligning them with your organization's goals.
- Candidate assessment: Evaluates potential hires for cultural fit and skills, helping you make informed decisions about hiring.
- Onboarding support: Ensures new hires are smoothly integrated into your organization, enhancing their effectiveness from day one.
Benefits of Nonprofit Recruiting Firms
Partnering with a nonprofit recruiting firm offers several benefits for your team and your business. Here are a few you can look forward to:
- Access to talent: Gain access to a broad network of qualified candidates who are aligned with your mission and values.
- Time savings: Reduce the time spent on recruitment by leveraging expert search and placement services.
- Diversity enhancement: Improve your team's inclusivity through specialized diversity recruitment strategies.
- Leadership stability: Ensure strong leadership continuity with services like succession planning and executive search.
- Expert guidance: Receive strategic consulting and talent advisory services to enhance your recruitment processes.
- Quality placements: Benefit from thorough candidate assessment services that help you make informed hiring decisions.
- Board effectiveness: Strengthen your governance with board placement services that identify skilled and mission-driven members.
Costs and Pricing Structures of Nonprofit Recruiting Firms
Nonprofit recruiting firms typically come at a custom price to accommodate various business needs, sizes, and circumstances. Providers generally work within one of the following pricing structures:
- Retainer-based: A fixed fee paid upfront for ongoing recruitment services.
- Contingency-based: Fees are paid only when a successful hire is made.
- Project-based: Costs are determined by the specific recruitment project or assignment.
- Hourly rate: Charges are based on the time spent on recruitment efforts.
- Performance-based: Fees are tied to the achievement of specific hiring outcomes.
Key Factors That Influence Nonprofit Recruiting Firms' Pricing
Beyond the specific pricing model, here are some additional factors that can influence the cost of nonprofit recruiting firms:
- Role complexity: More complex roles may require higher fees due to the specialized search efforts needed.
- Customization level: Tailored recruitment strategies and services could increase costs.
- Geographic reach: National or international searches might involve additional expenses.
- Industry-specific needs: Compliance with specific sector regulations can impact costs.
- Volume of hires: Larger hiring volumes may result in discounts or increased fees, depending on the provider.
Being aware of these factors before you start seeking out custom quotes from providers helps you get a sense of what to expect, and compare and contrast quotes more effectively.
Nonprofit Recruiting Firms: FAQs
Here are some answers to common questions about nonprofit recruiting firms:
How do nonprofit recruiting firms help with executive leadership roles?
Nonprofit executive search firms specialize in identifying and placing candidates in leadership positions, such as executive directors, CEOs, and senior-level professionals. They have networks and industry knowledge to find candidates who align with your mission. They also use tailored executive search processes to ensure candidates fit your organizational culture.
What should I expect during the recruitment process?
Expect an initial consultation to understand your needs, followed by the sourcing and vetting of candidates. The firm will present qualified candidates for your review and help coordinate interviews. They also assist with offer negotiation and onboarding to ensure a smooth hiring process.
Can nonprofit recruiting firms assist with temporary staffing?
Yes, many staffing firms offer temporary solutions to fill short-term roles. They quickly connect you with skilled professionals to manage workload fluctuations or cover for staff absences. This flexibility helps maintain productivity without long-term commitments.
How do these firms ensure diversity in hiring?
Nonprofit recruiting firms often have strategies to promote diversity in their hiring practices. They actively seek candidates from varied backgrounds and emphasize inclusivity in their recruitment processes. This approach helps you build a diverse team that brings different perspectives and ideas.
What is the typical cost structure for using a recruiting firm?
Costs can vary based on the pricing model, such as retainer-based or contingency-based fees. Discuss pricing upfront to understand any additional charges for services like background checks or travel. Custom quotes are typically provided based on your specific needs and the volume of your hiring.
How long does it take to fill a position?
The time to fill a position depends on the role’s complexity and the market’s demand. Typically, it can take anywhere from a few weeks to a few months. Firms use their expertise and networks to expedite the process, but finding the right fit is the priority.
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