Solopreneurs and Non-profits: An Unrequited Partnership

Being self-employed, I have a unique and constantly-evolving perspective of the employment market. A couple of recent potential projects lead me to believe there is a big lost opportunity in the partnership of solopreneurs and non-profits. My personal, anecdotal case studies follow: 

The data analytics fellowship  

I stumbled haphazardly onto what looked like a great opportunity to serve as a “data analytics fellow” at a local well-known institution. When I contacted the non-profit who ran the program, I was told that the program had been designed for retirees who want to give back and have some partial employment during their golden years.

The problem with this model is that people just aren’t retiring anymore. The position had been unfilled for months when I happened upon it. Despite the palpable hesitation on the part of the coordinator, I submitted my application, which was full of questions about how my long and storied former career prepared me to serve as a part-time consultant. Of course, I didn’t fit the narrative — I was looking at the position as an authority-builder and source of quasi-regular income. 

As expected, I have yet to hear from this institution, and the position remains open. 

The learning institution trainer

A second application was a part-time job as a trainer at a local learning institution.

This was a part-time position. When asked about my schedule at the interview, I did mention I had other client work, but that it was flexible and I could perform the job just fine. I sensed some hesitation there, that perhaps I was a flight risk or wouldn’t be committed to the position. I was not selected for the position.

From what I could tell, they were looking for perhaps a young parent who wanted the position as a bit of extra income and time away from the house. The problem with this is that people just aren’t having kids, either. Things are unfortunately so expensive that most people need to work full time, or multiple part-time jobs. Searching for a candidate whose only obligation would be a part-time job precluded a lot of candidates, myself include.  

Enough of my sour grapes

My point isn’t so much to vent about not landing these positions so much as it is to speculate that there is a huge missed opportunity in the non-profit world.

The above datapoints give me reason to speculate that non-profits are operating under a limiting “mental model” that “real” professionals would only be interested in full-time work, and that part-time work is only for the retired, students or those with significant family obligations. 

While it is certainly admirable for non-profits to find ways to involve the talents of these groups, that are so often overlooked, I hope that it does not do so at the sake of another group of talented workers that the “gig economy” is producing. 

What exactly makes non-profits and solopreneurs such a great match? 

Non-profits have brand equity and solopreneurs need it

It can be incredibly hard at the to make a name for oneself as a solopreneur, but non-profits have some of the strongest brand equity of any organization. This work can be a huge authority boost for solopreneurs, who can then tell clients about the non-profits they’ve successfully worked with, and display the non-profit’s veritable logos and testimonials on their website. 

This can even go so far as to include SEO — allowing solopreneurs to guest post and link back to their own site can be a huge authority boost, as non-profit domains rank highly on search engine. To a solopreneur, publicity is as valid a form of compensation as a paycheck — which is a perfect arrangement for non-profits. 

Non-profits don’t have much money and solopreneurs don’t need much

Non-profits are famously strapped for cash. I’m sure there are many professionals who would love to contribute their talents to an organization professionally, but find the opportunity cost of a low-paying full-time job just too high. 

Solopreneurs are also famously strapped for cash, but have the benefit of time flexibility. They have the time to develop other sources of revenue, but could often use a small, recurring paycheck for when they’re in a transition period. 

This isn’t a salary-with-benefits kind of paycheck, it’s a pay-my-groceries-and-heat paycheck. The residual compensation can come in the form of time flexibility and authority-building, as mentioned above. 

Non-profits can show the private sector how to work with solopreneurs

In theory, a non-profit should take on projects that are not profitable in the private sector. Unfortunately, bold innovations often aren’t immediately rewarded by profits, and can take years to accrue. Because profitability is not its primary metric, a non-profit is able to stand on the horizon of what could be normal business operations a few years later.

Non-profits have the chance to provide a model of “playing nice” with independent contractors. It’s not a steady relationship at the moment, and many are concerned that solo employment will be just one more way for corporations to step on individuals. I would like to believe that solo employment can build healthier relationships with an employer, and ultimately a healthier society. Validate that, non-profits! 

Can non-profits think different?

The fact is that non-profits should be positively re-inventing a status quo that we just take for granted as a society, and have the status to do so.

Unfortunately, they often remain the most hidebound in their business practices. It’s understandable — they don’t have money to blow, and they are obligated to donors and benefactors to be responsible stewards. 

From what I have seen, non-profits are designing their part-time and freelance positions to fit the traditional social narrative that the only people who would want them are either young parents or retired. As I said, while it’s awesome to include these groups, who often have difficulties fitting into the corporate world, there are more personae to be aware of. 

What I would hope as an independent contractor myself is to see the essential role that non-profits could play in our world, and vice versa. “I’ll trade you high-end labor for some publicity and brand equity at a fraction of a full-time salary” sounds compelling to me.