On that note, here’s a post from my blog, Not Only for Profit (on the True/Slant network) about a former Greenpeace activist who went the for-profit route with a solar-energy portal.

I would have to disagree with Ted’s statement that “the underlying passion is gone in many orgs”. The passion is there, but many orgs are not recruiting the right people (and in many cases, the right people are not applying for these positions). In addition, the orgs are not firing the people they need to let go, at least quicker than they should. Like they say “hire slow, fire fast.”

This discussion could go on forever but I’m glad some of us are taking part in it. Things will never change without intelligent, engaging dialogue and ACTION to make change a reality. Great post!

Also have some ambivalence about the “professionalization” of the sector. While there are benefits and everyone should demand financial/programmatic accountability it seems that the underlying passion is gone in many organizations as it is just a job and people hang on in groups forever. Perhaps another factor in driving young people away from established organizations and towards newer groups, social ventures and other forms of organizing change.

“For bright kids graduating from college with a mountain of student debt…”

It’s outrageous that people must so routinely take on so much debt to get through college, and that this by necessity must then frame their career choices. This is the real issue here, not non-profit salaries, in my opinion.