Many times the debate over nonprofit versus for-profit compensation focuses on the executives of the respective organizations, but the participants in this fantastic conversation on the Chronicle of Philanthropy have brought the focus down where it belongs: to the young people on the front lines. Several commentators point out that it’s the entry level positions where the disparity is hardest to swallow. For bright kids graduating from college with a mountain of student debt, it’s tough to ask them to choose between $30,000 and a sense of fulfillment and $50,000 with a 401K and good health insurance. The current emphasis among donors on “low overhead” at charitable organizations is leading to a brain drain from the sector that most needs an influx of young workers.
Personally, I find it a bit self-righteous to tell those who want both financial security and the opportunity to make a difference “the nonprofit sector DOES NOT need you.” Really? Because we’ve solved all the world’s problems so effectively and don’t need new ideas and new talent? Because Baby Boomers heading up nonprofits never plan to retire so that new leadership is needed?
You know what? Forget this debate, you’re right. Kids, if you hope for a double bottom-line return on the investment of your own talents and intellect–both social and financial–I’ve got a sector for you. It’s called social enterprise, and they’d love to have all the passion and idealism and ambition and energy you have to offer.
Let the masochistic working poor and their aging institutions whither as talented young people seek to do good and to do well. It may be painful and pointless, but at least they’ll feel good about themselves.
