You might be surprised to learn that, according to the Independent Sector, nonprofit organizations earn $670 billion annually. One in twelve Americans works in those organizations.
Here are my top five reasons for spending my career in the nonprofit world.
1. Doing Good
Imagine waking up every day knowing that you are doing something good for your community. People work for nonprofits because they believe in a cause.
When I worked for the Girl Scouts, staff members often talked about having "green" in their blood. They loved Scouting. When I worked at a university, it wasn't just the professors who considered themselves educators. Even the fundraisers and the dormitory staff were passionate about education.
2. It's Great Experience
In nonprofits, especially smaller ones, you get to wear many hats.
Let's say you take a job in public relations at the local branch of a national nonprofit. In that position, you might be the publications manager, the webmaster, the special events planner, and the media spokesperson--all at the same time. Try that at IBM!
You'll develop experience you can take with you whether you stay at your nonprofit or go to work for a corporation.
3. Community Involvement
There is no better way to learn about your community and to meet community leaders than working in a nonprofit.
As a lowly employee of a large corporation, you will rarely see the CEO. But, that CEO is on the board of directors of several nonprofits. Guess who gets to interact with him or her?
Working for a nonprofit puts you in contact with the leaders of the community. You will work on committees with them and give presentations at board meetings where they will hang on your every word.
4. Training
Believe it or not, you may receive some of the best training of your career at a nonprofit. Nonprofit organizations are very keen on planning and training. This is especially true of large, national nonprofits.
The leader of the Girl Scouts, when I worked there, was Frances Hesselbein, now the leader of an institute for nonprofit leadership. She ran the Girl Scouts better than most corporations. As an employee, I trained, planned, set goals, and was mentored more than at any job since.
5. A Congenial Environment
Even though nonprofits are very well run, the atmosphere is usually pleasant. At nonprofits, there is more concern about individuals and considerable understanding when it comes to the personal crises that befall all of us.
Salaries may not be as high as those in private industry, but there are family-friendly policies and more generous vacation plans.
All in all, doing “good” can be good for a nonprofit's employees--maybe even you.
