Can people live off non-profit organizations?

Question

Just wondering, can people be in a non-profit organization their whole life and live still?

Sorry, the way i wroded the questions sounds stupid.

Like i guess what i am asking is how would people live? would they get paid (minimally) with food, shelter, etc.? and thats it, or what?

Can someone help clarify this, sorry if you guys dont understand it.

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Also, if "Janesaysreadbooks" is reading this questions, i am just wondering; do you hate me or something?

(for posting the olunteer service question too many times?)

Answer 1

Are you asking if employees of nonprofits can survive and make a living?  If so yes though many pay less than the same job would in a for profit business.   For example when I worked as a senior caseworker for Red Cross I had a salary (such as it was) and basic benefits.  The Chapter Director made much more and national officials make salary/benefit /perk packages comprable to major national corporations.

If the question is how would someone who is a volunteer for a nonprofit survive most either have other means of support or a working spouse etc.   Some so get a minimum amount of food or shelter space in exchange for this work.

If you're wondering if clients of nonprofits, people who come to them for help can survive indefinately that way, it seems as if some do try to do that.  Our ministry has ppl who show up regularly for food or wanting other help.  By no means is everyone who needs or asks for help using the system however many have veryb real needs.   Some nonprofits have helping funds year round or at given times each month however most limit the number of times the same person or family can get help.   There are shelters such as Union Mission in Atlanta and Gainesville Baptist men's mission where people do stay for an extended period while getting or trying to get or saying they are trying to get their lives together and get dorm space or room,food, and some used clothes.   There are transitional shelters which offer 30-365 days stay and some support services generally to people in specific circumstances such as recovering from domestic violence and rehab and halfway houses.    There are people who live on the street as a way of life and depend heavily in soup kitchens etc.   Many of these people do get some type of government assistance too,food stamps, medicaid, disability benefits,etc.   This is more existing than living however.  

In our area we have senior citizens trying to survive on $192 - 500 a month.  Many of them will always need some help yet they are very independent people. Many worked on farms or were homemakers all their lives, helped neighbors, etc. as long as they were able.  

Did I hit what you were asking?

Answer 2

I find it annoying that you have posted the exact same question about volunteering at a hospital four times. It makes YOU look very bad. It looks like you can't think for yourself and that you want other people to do work for you in filling out your hospital application. If I were at that hospital and saw your postings that many times, I wouldn't let you volunteer, because you seem to want other people to do your work. But, no, I don't hate you.

From looking at your new question (wonder how many times you will post THIS one), I guess you are asking if you can make a living working at nonprofit organizations. Yes, absolutely. Most nonprofit organizations that pay staff pay a living wage. I've worked at nonprofit organizations most of my life. While I haven't made nearly as much as I would have at a corporation, I do have enough money to buy a house and take care of my family.

Answer 3

Okay, so I've revised my answer.  The way you had it worded originally sounded like you were asking if people could live off of the donations they could get from non-profit agencies, you never said anything about employees.  Most people who can live just off of what they make working in a nonprofit have degrees, so they get paid a little more.  they never make what they would make working at a for-profit agency, but that's generally expected.  People who don't have degrees and work in nonprofits generally make a lot less.  Their pay depends on the area, the funding of the agency, even the funding of the particular program they work with, so that one may be a bit harder to answer.  Also, people switch jobs a lot in this field, looking for better pay or benefits, but also places that have the same philosophy they do.  I've been in the nonprofit field for ten years, and I've had some pretty low-paying, yet high responsibility jobs.  I've gotten by working two jobs, taking over-time if the place offered it, etc.  Where I work now, I make enough to get by as long as I live modestly, clip coupons, that sort of thing.  I'm glad you added that explanation, though, because I had completely misunderstood what you wrote before!