This qualitative study explored the key reasons individuals who work in K-12 education nonprofit organizations enter the field of K-12 nonprofit education and their motivations for doing so. The purpose of this study was to find new strategies for recruiting and retaining K-12 education nonprofit employees by examining the obstacles that exist to entering this field and strategies for overcoming these obstacles through the perspective of the K-12 education nonprofit employee. The data were collected through online questionnaires completed by 46 K-12 education nonprofit employees and in-depth interviews with 9 K-12 education nonprofit employees. During the interview, participants were also asked to draw or verbally walk through a timeline of significant events that led to their current position. The findings revealed that participants were educated from a variety of educational backgrounds. The main ways participants discovered their passion for the field were through volunteering or community service, by taking a job in the field and then discovering a passion for the field, and by being a participant at a K-12 education nonprofit as a youth. The key motivations for being in the K-12 education nonprofit field were doing meaningful work, having a passion for the cause, and the ability to serve others. The main obstacles for entering the field were low pay, fewer job opportunities, and long work hours. The first strategy for overcoming obstacles in the field was for K-12 education nonprofits to increase public exposure and community awareness of their organizations The second strategy was to better emphasize the rewards and sense of fulfillment the sector brings. The third strategy was to create clearer career paths for K-12 education nonprofit employees, most specifically at the college level. Recommendations are that (a) Educational institutions offer more undergraduate and graduate nonprofit degrees and courses to students; (b) K-12 education nonprofits invest more time and energy in recruiting new volunteers and employees externally by connecting more with the community; and (c) K-12 education nonprofits create a culture that values and promotes self-care, a supportive environment, flexibility, and training opportunities in order to better offset obstacles to entering the field. [The dissertation citations contained here are published with the permission of ProQuest LLC. Further reproduction is prohibited without permission. Copies of dissertations may be obtained by Telephone (800) 1-800-521-0600. Web page: http://www.proquest.com/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.]