The term "non-profit" does a disservice to itself
Fiction: Non-profits are places where a lot is discussed, but not much gets done. There's a lack of accountability and long-term strategic thinking. The charitable work non-profits do is critical, but the sector doesn't represent the epitome of efficiency or professionalism.
Fact: Many large "non-profits" are actually run like big business - they have operating budgets that would dwarf many for-profit companies, in fact. For example, Feeding America (formerly America's Second Harvest) manages more than 200 food banks that serve all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. The Feeding America network secures and distributes more than 2 billion pounds of donated food and groceries annually to about 25 million people, through a top-notch logistical system. That's the equivalent of a pretty big chain grocery store.
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While we think of the charitable work non-profits do as vital, I believe the term does a disservice to itself. If we take the efficiencies and productivity models of for-profit businesses and non-profits successfully integrate them, the verbal dichotomy makes less sense. Certain words have the ability to polarize and manipulate emotions, as well as change the course of the conversation. For example, "global warming" vs. "climate change," "estate tax" vs. "death tax" or "universal health care" vs. "single-payer health insurance." The term "non-profit" can conjure up all kinds of characteristics and descriptions in our minds, some of which aren't very flattering - or accurate. We must change that in order to reflect the true value of the vital services provided.
I do know that if all the non-profits across this country were represented by lights on a map, and if they were to go out, we would see a very bleak, dark landscape.
Different words may also force the organizations themselves and their staffs, volunteers and partners to rethink how they work. What words would you use to describe the valuable work done by these groups of people? How can we better use language to represent the essential services they offer to our society?
I welcome your thoughtful suggestions.
