Skilled providers are in high demand at 501(c)(3) organizations throughout Illinois. Mission-driven nonprofits need qualified social work professionals to help clients through complex life obstacles, including unstable living situations, mental health problems, and health care needs that people in Illinois face every day.
What Does a Nonprofit Social Worker Do?
Licensed social workers often take on other job titles at nonprofit organizations.
Some of the job titles available include:
- Program Coordinator
- Child Welfare Specialist
- Refugee Resettlement Case Manager
- Shelter Case Manager
- LGTBQ+ Services Coordinator
- Disability Advocate
- Crisis Intervention Specialist
- Youth Counselor
- Substance Abuse Counselor
- Homeless Health Care Coordinator
- Rapid Rehousing Specialist
- Street Outreach Worker
- HIV Prevention Coordinator
- Homeless Policy Analyst
- Senior Services Coordinator
- Homeless Education Liaison
- Mental Health Therapist
- Housing First Case Manager
A search for “nonprofit social work jobs” in the Illinois area yields many job opportunities with responsibilities that include (sourced from posted social work nonprofit job openings in Illinois and Chicago):
- Ensure the establishment and maintenance of excellent collaborative relationships across regions to meet mission objectives.
- Provide evidence-based, accurate information, education, and resources that will prepare families for pregnancy, the birth process, and the care of an infant.
- Support highest-need patients by providing comprehensive assessments, telephonic check-ins, and in-person visits.
- Screen and assess patients for common mental health and substance use disorders.
- Maintain extensive knowledge of community resources and make referrals to help ensure the patient’s healthcare and psychosocial needs are met.
- Provide in-home supportive services, community resource referrals, advocacy, and other social service interventions to the clients.
- Reinforce professional culture centered on quality care, cultural competence/ sensitivity, and client-centered service.
- Assist with event planning and support group facilitation.
- Demonstrate an understanding of and respect for equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) across patient and multidisciplinary interactions.
- Lead group counseling and education sessions.
- Make community referrals for follow-up care.
- Evaluate applicants’ dietary and feeding practices to identify potential risk factors, needs, and concerns.
- Encourage and support parent development through volunteer and parent training opportunities.
- Operate from a trauma-informed lens that properly supports those who may have been traumatized.
- Identify potential conflicts that are escalating and engage all parties involved in conversations to mitigate potential violence.
- Develop and implement individualized housing plans, considering factors such as affordability, accessibility, and support services.
These are only a few of the responsibilities that social work professionals are expected to meet across a vast array of social work jobs in Illinois. You can find temporary, part-time, and full-time positions with nonprofit organizations that range from entry-level to leadership roles with competitive salaries.
How Do Nonprofits Help Communities?
Nonprofit organizations help communities in various ways, and these are some examples:
- Homeless shelters
- Disaster response networks
- Childcare
- Public health services
- Needle exchange programs
- Food banks
- Mental health centers
- Women’s shelters
- Rehabilitation support
- Refugee and immigrant services
- Health care navigation
- Vocational training
- Legal aid clinics
- Tenants’ rights education
- LGBTQ+ safe spaces
Which Government Agencies Do Nonprofit Organizations Work With?
Illinois nonprofit organizations must collaborate with local, state, and federal agencies to deliver services to clients, access funding, and advocate for underserved communities, including LGBTQ+ individuals and immigrants. These are some agencies that work with nonprofit organizations in Illinois:
Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) – Nonprofits may partner with IDHS, which administers a wide range of aid related to mental health, substance abuse treatment, health care, and disability services.
Illinois Housing Development Authority (IHDA) – Housing opportunities are made available to low-income families by collaboration between nonprofit organizations and IHDA.
City of Chicago Department of Family and Support Services (DFSS) – Homeless services, youth programs, senior services, and emergency assistance are made available via DFSS. Nonprofits within the community may partner up to facilitate these programs.
Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) – Nonprofits may collaborate with IDPH on disease prevention efforts, health care within the community, and health education.
Benefits of Working for a Nonprofit
Working for a nonprofit organization has unique benefits over working in the private sector. Nonprofits may appeal to individuals seeking a meaningful career with a sense of purpose. Here are some benefits of working at a nonprofit instead of in the private sector:
Mission-Driven Work – Nonprofits are founded on missions to address the psychosocial, financial, and health care needs of a community. Employees find gratification in knowing their work contributes to positive change.
Sense of Purpose – Employees often find a sense of fulfillment in completing their responsibilities because they see tangible efforts positively impacting individuals, families, and communities.
Flexibility and Work-Life Balance – Many nonprofit organizations offer flexible work arrangements with a better balance between work and personal life. This often leads to greater job satisfaction and well-being.
Tax Benefits and Perks – Some nonprofit organizations offer tax benefits to employees, such as eligibility for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) or access to tax-advantaged retirement plans, such as 403(b) or 401(k) plans. Some nonprofits provide Employee Assistance Programs (EAP), which offer access to confidential mental health care resources. Additionally, nonprofits may provide wellness programs.
To be certain about what nonprofit organizations offer, job applicants need to inquire about specific benefits and perks offered by those during the job application and interview process. Benefits and perks may vary widely between each nonprofit organization.
Nonprofit Organizations That Employ Social Workers in Illinois
Nonprofit organizations must meet specific criteria outlined by the IRS to qualify for 501(c)(3) status, including operating for charitable, religious, and educational purposes without distributing profits to individuals or shareholders.
These are a few nonprofit organizations in Illinois:
Homelessness
The Night Ministry
Heartland Alliance
A Safe Haven Foundation
La Casa Norte
LGBTQ+ Communities
Howard Brown Health
Brave Space Alliance
Youth Outlook
Center on Halsted
Immigrants and Refugees
Apna Ghar
Arab American Family Services (AAFS)
Asian Human Services
World Relief Chicago
Mental Health Treatment
Thresholds
Association House of Chicago
Mental Health America for Illinois
Pillars Community Health
Empowering Women and Families
YWCA Metropolitan Chicago
Crisis Center for South Suburbia
Sarah’s Circle
Connections for Abused Women and Their Children (CAWC)
Health care
Erie Family Health Centers
PCC Community Wellness Center
Aunt Martha’s Health & Wellness
Access Community Health Network (ACCESS)
General Services
Lutheran Social Services of Illinois (LSSI)
Chicago Cares
Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Chicago
Starting Your Social Work Career in the Prairie State
Working for a nonprofit organization starts with fulfilling education and field experience requirements and earning an accredited degree.
Licensure
Illinois requires that social workers become licensed. There are two levels of licensure: a Licensed Social Worker (LSW) and a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW). The National Association of Social Workers (NASW), Illinois chapter, can offer detailed information about the licensure process and application.
Licensure is based on education and field experience hours. LSWs and LCSWs have different requirements, but both can lead to meaningful careers.
Education
Prospective social work candidates typically begin their education with a Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) degree. That said, some may choose a Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field like psychology, sociology, or anthropology and continue with a Master of Social Work (MSW) degree. To become an LCSW, an MSW degree is required. Most mental health social work, such as a career in therapy, requires an MSW degree.
MSW programs are available at highly reputable colleges and universities throughout Illinois. You can find MSW programs that are accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) in its directory of accredited programs. MSW programs typically take two years to complete.
2022 US Bureau of Labor Statistics job market trends and salary figures for child, family, and school social workers, healthcare social workers, mental health and substance abuse social workers, and social workers (all others) are based on national data, not school-specific information.
Conditions in your area may vary. Data accessed February 2024.
Discover more about other social work specializations in Illinois.