Nonprofit: Expectations vs. Reality

I've worked in the nonprofit world for the last 4 years. In those years, I've served as a consultant, Volunteer Coordinator, Creative Director, Marketing Director and now Programs Director. And each time someone hears I work for a nonprofit, there are a few responses that I always get:

"Wow. You must love your job." (I do)

"Wow. You must be broke." (I am)

"It must feel great to make a difference." (It does)

I also hear a lot of expectations about what it's like working at a nonprofit organization. It's like nonprofit jobs are supposedly the Narnia of careers: a magical and amazing world that is quirky and cool in its own way. I'd agree with that sentiment, but also kindly remind you that Narnia was a cursed winterland under the rule of an evil ice queen. So, there's that.

Here are a few expectations I always hear:

Everyone in nonprofit work is super happy and caring.

"Everyone that works in the nonprofit sector is nice."

First of all, this is ridiculous. We're not Keebler elves just having a great time every day, able to always see the empty glass as half full. While most people are polite (in almost every industry), don't be surprised if you encounter difficult people, big egos, and office politics. They exist in every workplace, not just in the for-profit sector.

The nonprofit sector is not competitive.

"You all work together so well!"

Local nonprofit work can be wildly competitive, like Mad Max Thunderdome competitive.

Fighting for funding, media attention, and public support can quickly put you at odds with any other organization in the community. We regularly compete with organizations that have the same mission, which can be really detrimental to the communities we serve (my bad). Some nonprofits provide a similar service and compete to be the most effective provider of that service. Other times, we all work on different solutions to a similar problem, such as solving education through curriculum or infrastructure. And certain issues, organizations may have missions that are in direct competition to one another. 

Working for a nonprofit is just like volunteering.

"Working for a nonprofit is just like volunteering."

This expectation always makes me chuckle a little. First of all, volunteers are our most precious resource. We make sure volunteers have breakfast, coffee, T-shirts, and anything else they want/need/expect to have a good time. I will bend over backward for any volunteer, and if volunteers tell me they have a bad experience, we go to DEFCON 1. On the other hand, if a coworker has a bad experience, you usually just nod and say, "It just be like that sometimes."

For volunteers to have a good experience, employees have to shield volunteers from the organizational, financial, and other challenges that we face on a day-to-day basis. There have been many events in my career where we wear a smile on our face, but just dealt (or are still dealing) with a major crisis. If you like volunteering because it's simple and easy, I'd recommend not getting into nonprofit work.