The Top 10 Reasons to Be Thankful You Work at a Nonprofit

by Joan Garry

#8 – One less thing to worry about: the size of my year-end bonus!

Since this is a “Top 10” list a la David Letterman, I thought I’d try a countdown. Click the arrows to scroll through the presentation. You can even watch this full-screen by clicking the ‘double-arrow’ icon in the lower right.


33 thoughts on “The Top 10 Reasons to Be Thankful You Work at a Nonprofit”

  1. Cynicism aside: I’ve been a fundraiser for over 7 years & I enjoy feeling that I have a personal part in improving lives. (I’ve been in the disease space for most of my NP career, so it’s funding research or treatment for individuals.)

  2. Danielle. The nonprofit space is clearly lucky to have you. As I said, I went the humor route on this post but if you have been a blog follower I am a huge kool aid drinker for nonprofit service. Happy Thanksgiving!!!!!

  3. I’m grateful that I didn’t have to take off work today to deal with the leak in my condo’s bathroom ceiling because my organization is already working from home because the office was flooded by the sprinkler system getting set off over the weekend. πŸ˜‰

  4. I am grateful because over the years I have learned about the kind of person I don’t want to be and the kind of person I shouldn’t be. AKA those people who are miserable at life, at their job, at whatever. I’ve learned who I NEED to be in this world.

  5. Thank you for the morning laughter at such a crazy busy time for all of us nonprofits! But, seriously, working in nonprofits is an amazing way to be part of our communities and know that we help make them better in all kinds of ways.

  6. I am thankful to work in an atmosphere of positivity and a “people-first” kind of attitude. Our staff and volunteers are remarkable people who believe they can make a difference!

  7. I am thankful to be part of an active, vibrant, hilarious and humble conspiracy of goodness. All year round.

  8. Parisa. You must be good at your job if you have created an active, vibrant, hilarious and humble conspiracy of goodness. And I love that phrase. I may steal it. Just sayin’

  9. I also get to work with kids and their families in a hands on way helping them grow and learning from them

  10. As a global medical society executive director, I am blessed every day with constant interaction with people from every corner of the world in several languages, struggling with huge projects that always seem on the verge of derailing, mini-office dramas that are actually very funny, and … the feeling that we are slowly but steadily DOING GOOD!

  11. I am nourished every day by being part of something larger than myself. I love being disruptive. I am never bored. And it’s edgy, messy, complicated, creative, endlessly fascinating work!

  12. I am thankful because I have a staff that is truly remarkable – I could not be an effective executive director without them!

  13. Edgy, messy, complicated, creative, never bored, endlessly fascinating. Sounds a bit like my family at Thanksgiving πŸ™‚ Keep on being disruptive!!!!!! Happy Thanksgiving!

  14. Luca. I bet your pace is much faster than you give yourself credit for. Also, glad that you find drama amusing. Is that what led you to my blog???? πŸ™‚ Happy Thanksgiving and thank you for all you are giving .

  15. Rosemary. Who needs sleep??? :)) Remember, the worry (and the solution) is not yours alone. Bring volunteers, board and others in to create a team working on a solution… Best of luck and happy thanksgiving!

  16. Yes, only the progress is slow but the overall pace is indeed hectic. I am following your blog since 3 years, always find something relevant and useful in your posts. Happy Thanksgiving!

  17. I am thankful for a boss who listens and tells me on a regular bases how grateful she is for me to be on the team.

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