Young Nonprofit Professionals Network

about us

YNPN is a rapidly growing, grassroots association that engages and supports future nonprofit and community leaders through professional development, networking and social opportunities. From its beginnings in 1997 as a small, informal gathering of peers in San Francisco, YNPN has grown to become one of the nation’s largest associations of nonprofit practitioners.

The demand for an early career professional network to support the growth, learning, and leadership development of young nonprofit professionals led to the establishment of YNPN in San Francisco. Then, driven almost entirely by word-of-mouth and local volunteer leadership teams, the YNPN concept spread to Boston, New York, Washington, DC, Chicago, Denver and beyond. The Austin chapter was initiated in 2003 by staff members of Greenlights. It found swift flight in January, 2006 with a crew of fresh, passionate leaders.

Now, with over 7,000 members, YNPN is a powerful, organic vehicle for retaining and strengthening the nonprofit sector’s next generation of leaders—led by and directly responsive to the needs of early career nonprofit professionals.

Mission:
YNPN Austin supports the professional growth of emerging leaders in Austin's nonprofit workforce by: Building community within the community and beyond; Offering educational programming to promote professional development; and, providing access to skill-building resources.
Vision:
YNPN Austin seeks to create a sophisticated, connected and valued young nonprofit workforce that meets the growing and changing needs of the Austin community.