What The Non-Profit World Has Taught Me

The world of non-profits is incredibly competitive

In Austin, Texas alone, there are over 10K non-profits working on a variety of admirable causes and vying for attention from the same group of people and institutions.? When it comes to raising money, asking for donations and getting grants, all the non-profits are accessing the same limited pool of resources.? Advancing your cause and spreading the word in the sea of crowded non-profits can be extremely difficult, especially in today’s world where it’s so difficult to get mindshare.? It takes extra effort, out-of-the-box thinking and really putting yourself out there to help others understand what you stand for and how you’re benefiting society.

Constant fundraising is necessary yet exhausting

Whether or not a non-profit survives is dependent on the funds that it can raise and it’s a never ending 24/7 journey.? In many cases, it can be difficult and uncomfortable to ask others for donations, sponsorships to keep the lights on. Unlike a for-profit company, investment dollars are going in with the expectations of a higher return down the road. With non-profits, you’re obviously not promising a return.? Instead you’re conveying how you’re helping others and so the burden falls on you on clearly articulating the need, and how you’ll be spending the money.? As a board member of a non-profit, this is the one of the hardest things I have to do but also well worth it knowing the impact those dollars can have.

Networks and connections can change the game

Meeting that one individual, the wealthy benefactor who wholeheartedly believes in your charity’s mission can change everything.? Their access to resources and network can change the trajectory of your non-profit, opening up so many doors that were previously closed.? The trick is, however, to find them.? There are lots of generous folks out there with the means and desire to help your non-profit.? Similar to the fundraising journey, the quest to continue to network and meeting people is never ending as well. You just never know where, when and how you might meet somebody that can have an exponential impact on your mission.

Learning how to “do more with less”

As you might imagine, resources are scarce and hard to come by in the non-profit world.? You have no choice but to do more with less (almost nothing in some cases).? You’re running up against all kinds of constraints, funding drying out, not enough time, not enough manpower.? Even with all those constraints you’d be surprised at just how much you can get done with almost nothing.? When there’s a will, there’s a way!?

No matter how hard it is, it’s worth it to keep going

Many for-profit businesses claim to “change the world” but almost all non-profits are literally changing the world and helping improve people’s lives.? It’s easy to get behind a mission helping the less fortunate.? It fuels motivation.? Knowing that even one person is benefiting from your organization's mission is enough to keep going.? Continuing to forge ahead when all the cards are stacked up against you is worth it.

The experience you gain working with non-profits is invaluable and can help you tremendously in your "for-profit" day job

There are so many parallels between both worlds that all the same lessons easily translate over.? I’ve personally learned a ton and realized just how much is possible. It’s surprising how much you can do with limited time, resources and money.? You really don’t need as much as you think you do.??

If there's one key takeaway for me, it's about doing more with less. Broadening horizons and thinking about the "art of the possible" forces you to be more resourceful and creative.

After all, when you come across testimonials like this, there's no better feeling than to know the kind of impact your non-profit is having on the world.

Through Million Mile Month my diabetes numbers have improved dramatically.?My energy level has increased and I’m running with renewed confidence.

My daughter Zoey was diagnosed with childhood leukemia and my husband is active military. Million Mile Month has made it easier to find time for fitness in the chaos.