Non-profits need attention

In 2006, senior producer of msnbc.com John Schoen noticed the economy was showing clear signs of a slowdown, and it would not be too long before the job market collapsed. The effects of the slowing economy and the resulting decrease in job creation have appeared in several different publications. Many fields that people thought were secure have begun to retract. One field which is often overlooked when considering the state of the job market is the non-profit sector.  

People often get involved with non-profit work because they have a passion for a group of people who are being underrepresented or a cause that is being overlooked. The people employed with non-profits are not in the field for six figure salaries, but they have to financially support themselves and sometimes a family. With organizations losing all their funding or not receiving a substantial amount of funding, many non-profits have had to make the decision to shut down.  

The Southern Rural Development Initiative, which is located in downtown Raleigh, announced Feb. 9 it would be shutting its doors Feb. 20. 

For the past 15 years SRDI advocated for racial economic justice among members of the rural south. Through partnerships with key public figures, SRDI was able to make many strides in the southern rural community. Its partnerships contributed to the establishment of rural community philanthropy. This organization, which focused on the rural South, played a major role in the lives of the N.C. State community. 

There was one student employed at SRDI when it announced it would be closing, leaving that student without a job. The fate of SRDI was sealed when its annual grant from the W.K. Kellogg Foundation was not awarded for this year. The W.K. Kellogg foundation, which according to its website believes that “achieving racial equity will include removing present day barriers to equal opportunities,” ignored the important work of SRDI in the development of the rural community. Like many other organizations in this economic crisis, the W.K. Kellogg Foundation is facing an uncertain funding climate; further aggravating the stability of the non-profit industry.

Anatole France, was ahead of his time when he said “to accomplish great things, we must not only act, but also dream; not only plan, but also believe.” Students who want to make a difference by devoting their efforts to various non-profit groups do not have to give up their passion for change.

The non-profit minor at NCSU, which only requires 13 additional credit hours, is an excellent resource to allow students a chance to learn what they need to understand the climate of non-profit organizations and ways to improve their sustainability.

Even in trying times, non-profits are all around us. It is impossible to imagine a world without non-profits, because it would not be possible for such a world to exist. However, it is important that people attempting to pursue a career in non-profits, as well as people who plan to work for the large corporations that will be giving out grants, take advantage of the opportunity they have to learn about the non-profit sector so that they do not have to end up watching the funeral of a non-profit organization.

Send your thoughts on non-profit organizations to letters@technicianonline.com