Rewarding work in the nonprofit sector

Posted: January 08, 2008

"The nonprofit sector enhances our creativity, enlivens our communities, nurtures individual responsibility, stirs life at the grassroots, and reminds us that we were born free."

As the American writer John W. Gardner clearly asserts, the nonprofit sector is an irreplaceable part of who we are. As members of the London community, our lives have all been touched by a nonprofit organization.

Behind the walk-a-thons and after-school programs, behind the counselling services and educational programs, there are the hardworking, dedicated employees in the nonprofit sector that make it all possible.

In Ontario, there are 959,000 paid employees in the nonprofit sector (including hospitals, universities and colleges), representing one-sixth of all employed Ontarians. Close to 531,000 of these employees work full-time, while 428,000 work part-time.

Like any sector, employment in a nonprofit organization encompasses a large variety of careers such as administration positions, communications, program coordinators and executive directors.

There is a common misperception that working for the nonprofit sector is volunteering your time. Despite this misconception, many individuals in Ontario devote their lives to a career in the non-profit sector and to the irreplaceable services it provides to our community.

Employment in the nonprofit sector presents endless opportunity and offers the chance to work for a greater cause, which is the reason motivating many nonprofit employees to work in this sector. Others cite the community involvement, positive environment and overall experience as the driving factors for working in a nonprofit organization.

"Working in the nonprofit sector is very rewarding," says Nana Yanful, project coordinator for the board diversity project at Pillar Nonprofit Network. "The sector is full of people who work tirelessly to provide quality programs and services to those who need it most in our community. That is why I chose to work in this sector, where there is always an opportunity for me to use my passion for social justice and equity," says Nana Yanful, who is Project Coordinator for the Board Diversity Project at Pillar Nonprofit Network.

Nevertheless, the nonprofit environment can be challenging. Organizations often struggle to find funding for their various projects, work in agreement with board and committee members and even gain the support of their own community. Yet, almost one million Ontarians dedicate their hearts and souls to the nonprofit sector in hopes of making a difference in their community.

Although they struggle to find the time and resources for the endless needs of the sector, they also love the extraordinary intrinsic rewards that come with working in the nonprofit sector.

As the walk-a-thons, after school programs and counselling services remain an essential part of our community, we must all take the time to stop and thank the employees of the nonprofit sector who make it all possible.

First published in The Londoner, August 15, 2007.