You can’t make a living working for nonprofits. Nonprofit and volunteer work is for old people. There are no interesting nonprofit organizations to volunteer for.
These are just three of the myths the Institute for Nonprofit Research, Education and Engagement is looking to eradicate in November, National Nonprofit Awareness Month. To that end, INPREE is printing posters that debunk 10 popular myths about nonprofits. The posters premiered in campus buildings and residence halls last week, said Amber Smith, Institute for Nonprofits graduate and graduate teaching assistant.
INPREE hopes that the posters not only inform students of the truth about nonprofits and volunteerism, but also sparks interest in INPREE’s minor program in nonprofit studies.
“Sometimes when students come into our office, they’ll say ‘I’m thinking of going into nonprofit studies, but my parents are afraid I’ll be poor,'” said Smith. “These posters are designed to raise awareness about the myths surrounding nonprofit organizations.”
“We thought it was important to promote what INPREE does, especially this month, to promote nonprofit awareness,” Smith said.
Two of the “debunked” nonprofit myths on the poster are:
”All nonprofits are the same. … What do the NFL, the New York Stock Exchange, Mayo Clinic, Greenpeace, and the American Red Cross all have in common? They’re all nonprofits.”
”Nonprofit = No money … ‘Nonprofit’ refers to the 501(c) tax code in the United States, not whether or not the organization can make any money. Revenues are used to pursue the mission. There are no owners or shareholders in nonprofit organizations.”
Also, many people are not aware of the economic impact that nonprofit organizations have in the United States, said Todd Cohen, editor and publisher of Philanthropy Journal. TheJournal is an INPREE program that “delivers news and resource information to help people understand, support and work in the nonprofit and philanthropic world, and help them recognize and solve social problems,” according to its Web site.
“There are over a million nonprofits in this country, and they represent about 1 in 10 jobs,” Cohen said. “Nonprofits are absolutely instrumental to our economy.”
Through internships and class work in some programs, N.C. State students can take advantage of opportunities to volunteer, or even work for, nonprofit organizations while in school. This work can help students gain valuable experience in the professional world, or it can just help the student pursue an area of work that interests them.
The current crop of N.C. State students seems especially keen to give back, said Smith, who completed the minor in nonprofit studies as an undergraduate.
“I really feel like with this generation of students, that a certain passion is awakening in them,” said Smith. “They’re trying to make a difference with their education; they’re trying to make a difference in their job. I see that all the time.”
One student that appears to be heeding the call to the nonprofit sector is Amanda Brooks, a sophomore in First Year College. She said she plans on minoring in nonprofit studies and is hoping to land a job in the nonprofit sector upon graduation.
Brooks is currently a member of the community outreach committee for the CSLEPS and is in the midst of helping to organize a community service project for this weekend.
The CSLEPS community outreach committee is hosting a service project with children from Haven House, followed by a “Fall Festival” on campus to mark the event, Brooks said.
“CSLEPS gives me a good opportunity to give back to the community, which is important because most [students] live here a good portion of the year,” said Brooks.
As for her future, Brooks said she would like to work in marketing department for a nonprofit organization. She’ll soon begin pursuing her minor in nonprofit studies, while continuing her work with CSLEPS.
Cohen encouraged any student interested in volunteering, or nonprofits in general, to contact INPREE, CSLEPS, or any other local nonprofit organization.
“There are thousands of nonprofits in the Triangle, and they all need help,” Cohen said.
Another resource Cohen recommended was Volunteermatch.com, which can help students that want to connect with a local nonprofit that interests them.
“There are nonprofit organizations in just about every field … volunteering now is a great opportunity for people to get connected with these organizations. Not only does it help the organizations, but studies have shown people feel good about giving back,” said Cohen.
Also, the nonprofit job market might not be a bad place to land in a few years, said Smith.
“Because so many nonprofit leaders are retiring in the next few years, there is going to be a leadership deficit in nonprofits. To fill that gap, we’ll need an influx of new, energized leadership,” she said.
Smith said that a nonprofit studies minor, coupled with some volunteering while in college, can prepare students to fill the anticipated nonprofit leadership vacuum.
