- They inspire people to get up and do something. According to GrantSpace.org, there are over 1.5 million nonprofit organizations in the United States alone, and this number increases every year. These organizations range from soup kitchens to large-scale foundations, including all that good stuff in between.
- They favor needy people. Nonprofits are roughly broken into 3 categories: public charities, private foundations, and other tax-exempt organizations. Although they vary in their work, at the end of the day they fill a need that may not otherwise be met.
- They rely on volunteers. Studies show that volunteer work can do wonders for your health. This is because doing good things for others increases happiness. The more volunteers a nonprofit has, the greater impact it can have in its community–so it’s a win-win for everyone.
- They’re tax-exempt. There’s all sorts of legal jargon explaining why nonprofits don’t pay taxes, but all you need to know is that they’re exempt because they already provide so many valuable resources and services.
- They ask for donations from businesses. Corporate/nonprofit partnerships are on the rise. It can be a lovely symbiotic relationship if it is done correctly. Benefits for businesses include increased sales, increase in brand loyalty, and tax deductions. Benefits for nonprofits include increased funding, expansion of donor base, and brand recognition.
- They bring volunteers out of their comfort zones. It’s shocking how much goes into making a nonprofit organization successful. Because of this, the volunteers that make it run tend to wear many different hats. As a volunteer, you may discover a strength within you that you never knew existed.
- They make you internet savvy. Nowadays it seems like the internet makes the world go ‘round. Website development may be one of the “hats” you wear if you manage a nonprofit. Using the web to stay up-to-date on current nonprofit issues, such as the bill AB2855, can help your nonprofit stay one step ahead of the game.
- They need resources to run. Just like for-profit businesses, nonprofits have overhead costs too. They consume third party goods and services such as computers, phone services, buildings, and utilities. This means that in their daily function they are also stimulating the economy.
- They partner up. When nonprofits team up, there’s no end to what they can accomplish. They can collaborate on projects, office space, fundraisers, and many other things to support one another in carrying out their missions to serve their communities.
- They’re tough, yet meaningful. Managing a nonprofit can be hard work. But after all the paperwork, writing proposals, planning events, managing finances, and working through stressful situations, you’re left with something that brings joy to so many people. And it’s so worth it.
Alright, so maybe nonprofits aren’t so bad after all. 😉
