It’s the cry of many jobseekers: “I’d love to work for a nonprofit, but the pay’s so bad.” Generally true, but decent-paying nonprofit jobs are often unearthed by those willing to dig.

What can you do today?

Good digging sites: Idealist.org, OpportunityKnocks.org, Guide Star.org, NonprofitJobMarket.org and http://Nonprofit.about.com. Tip: A shortcut to a cool nonprofit job is to volunteer to serve on a nonprofit board. Greenpeace may pass you up, but small organizations may welcome you, especially if someone recommends you. An even easier entree: volunteer for a nonprofit’s non-governing advisory board. The easiest way into a nonprofit, but the least likely launch pad to a paying career is simply to volunteer. If your goal is to land a job, try to get a volunteer position where a desirable organization will get to observe your work. Check out VolunteerMatch.org.