to profit or to nonprofit

“Nonprofits can be a real racket.”
- Robin Jester, in a blog on 2.17.09

The past few jobs I have held for any length of time have been in the nonprofit world. People who have no concept of nonprofits, upon hearing that I work for a nonprofit, often ask things like, “what you like don’t get paid?” The truth is that some of the upper level executive staff at national nonprofits make more money than you – whoever you may be at the moment – and sometimes a ton more.

Some people feel like no one should make any money at a “nonprofit” because it’s like a misnomer. Well, actually, it’s not. Staff at nonprofits are essential to actually getting anything done, though admittedly at times, the staff are so underpaid and overworked that they slack off. But that would be like, oh every for-profit corporation too. I mean some of you reading this right now are supposed to be doing any number of tasks at work, but instead you are goofing off and visiting with me. Not that I blame you of course because I’m just that interesting.

Now here is where I could launch into a rhetoric on the need for nonprofits and the differences in structures between a nonprofit and everything else (ie, for profit or publicly held corporations). But guess what… I won’t. What I will say is that in some ways, nonprofits could teach a thing or two to businesses that have failed miserably in recent months, focusing first on grantwriting.

I’ve been part of the grantwriting process over the years, and let me tell those of you who have never done it – it ain’t a walk in the park. Some people have this absurd notion that you just write a letter, much like a Dear Santa wish list, and tell a heart-warming/heart-wrenching story and someone writes you a check.

In some ways, I feel that everyone should have to write a grant for their own salary. The process forces you to look at what exactly you do, how you get it done, did you get it done in the past, and why should we think you’ll get it done now. It gives you a driving sense of purpose and urgency that if you don’t get it done, you will not get any more money. Plus you have to check in and report on everything you’re doing and if you’ve stuck by your guidelines and regulations at given intervals throughout the year or whatever time period that grant covers.

There are these kinds of checkpoints in the corporate world in the guise of Employee Reviews or ROI type reports (return on investment). But let’s not kid ourselves, every organization has slackers and no matter where you go or what industry you are in people get away with a whole lotta nuttin.

So all I’m leading up to here is that I am currently trying to write a couple grants and trying to decide what outcomes I am looking for exactly.  Is this something I really (a) want to do, (b) feel that I can do, and (c) believe needs to be done? It’s a good process to make yourself sit through and puts a lot of things in perspective. So now I go through a process in my head for lots of decisions I make – like right now, I am thinking about eating peppermint oreos and doing a quick outcomes based assessment… 2 oreos, extra mile of running… oh who am I kidding.

stimulate this

I start off this post by stating that I am not an economist. I know! Shocking for many of you!!! I don’t really understand all the workings of the markets and the industries that make or break a country’s financial strength. what i do understand is the current lack of jobs and the past 10 years of increasing alarm in my little head when it came to my ever narrowing career options. i’ve been in the workforce for almost 20 years now, (now THATS shocking if only to me) jumping around here and there and trying out all kinds of fun and not so fun jobs. i’ve been trying to find that unique position that hits all the right spots for me – utilizes my skill set, is interesting to me, contributes to something I believe in, and pays the bills. ah the neverending quest

A very dear friend recently said to me that what I really need to do is make my own job. I gave this a lot of thought. The current plan for the country is to create jobs. How does one go about “creating jobs” any way? You give lots of money to existing companies to expand – and/or you give lots of money to budding company ideas who need startup dough. Or maybe you could just come by my place and write out a check that will cover all my outstanding loans and debts which will allow me to do all the many things I have floating around my head which could very well save the world.

Another not-so-dear friend joked that what I really needed to do was focus on getting married to some wealthy philanthropist who will support me and all my many varied interests. Hmmm this also required some thought.  was my friend saying that I could be like a trophy wife? or was he saying whoever married me would have to be pretty darn charitable?

I decided not to rule out either option and so I began researching grant monies and sugardaddies. I’ll keep everyone posted on my progress for sure. In the meantime, I’ll keep an eye on the classifieds just to be on the safe side.

Lame duck

One of our advisory board members at work started calling me the Lame Duck today. It made me sad but we still had a good laugh.  I have 4 days left at what was quite possibly the best job I’ve had to date.  Every time i really think about it and let the whole experience sink in, I just start to get weepy. You know it’s bad when I get weepy.

I’m generally not a weepy person. I am an emotional person, but not in the sense that I get all choked up about stuff. I’m more of a person who will gets really psyched about the Watchmen movie coming up or really really digs a wacked out work of art.  Not into the chick flicks and I have only shed a tear once in a romantic movie and that was mostly over the fact that it was such a bad bad movie that I was frustrated these people make more money than I do. And they suck!

So yesterday in church, I burst into tears over a song we’ve sung a hundred times at least, but the words just really hit me.  The Church’s one foundation – “Mid toil and tribulation, and tumult of her war, she waits the consummation of peace forevermore; till, with the vision glorious, her longing eyes are blest,  and the great church victorious shall be the church at rest.” The picture of being at rest forever in paradise, at peace and fulfilled, with all the hurt and sorrow and strife of this world over and long gone… sometimes it’s just too much to even think about, and I can’t help but cry.  Some days I really just feel like a lame duck – like I’m just waiting and waiting for it to be over and I can move on.  The difference of course is that we know when the inauguration is.

Speaking of, I am trying to get to DC for that.  History in the making. It’s exciting and I’d love to be there. I know a lot of my Christian friends are stressed, but I am excited about seeing what can happen with an entirely new point of view.  Sometimes we need extremes to move us in the right direction.  We’ll see…