Many nonprofit executives are planning to leave their organizations in the coming years, which might mean tough times ahead for the industry, but new opportunities for those seeking nonprofit fundraising jobs.

"Daring to Lead 2011," a new study from CompassPoint Nonprofit Services and the Meyer Foundation, found that a large number of nonprofit executives are planning to leave their jobs within the next five years.

While this could be bad news for the organizations that will lose top talent, it should be great news for anyone looking for a position within the nonprofit industry. Some organizations will hire from outside to fill the executive positions, while others will promote from within, either of which will create new job opportunities.

So why are executives looking to leave their jobs? Many survey respondents cited their organization's unstable finances, under-performing board of directors, and difficulty in maintaining a healthy work-life balance.

Key findings of the report include:

• 67 percent of nonprofit executives are planning to leave their jobs.
• 45 percent of respondents have not had a board performance review in the past year.
• 84 percent of executives said the recession had a negative impact on their organization.
• 46 percent of organizations have less than three months of operating reserves.
• 10 percent of respondents use executive coaching as a professional development strategy.

Labels: Nonprofit fundraising jobs