Not-for-profit Organisations

Hi Everyone!

Hope you've all had some interesting tasks to do at your placements and are learning new things about the corporate world like I am. I chose to do my placement at a not-for -profit organisation - the WA Deaf Society. This is my last week but I am considering coming in one day a week and helping out the business development manager in a PR capacity.

Not-for-profit organisations (from my experience) always have a lot to consider when divising business plans, especially in terms of finances and employee relations. The working environment in NFP's is quite friendly and relaxed as opposed to a for-profit corporate setting. In various other jobs I have worked in (corporate settings) there is that push to gain revenue, sales, obtain clients which can be quite stressful. In a NFP the main goal is to sustain their services by seeking funding. Even though this funding is a major issue, there seems to be a different attitude toward it than obtaining revenue in a for profit corporate setting.

The main ways NFP's recieve funding is through donations, grants, possibly government and any merchandise or paid services (which is rare). At my work placement, they only receive 30% recurrent government funding meaning they rely quite heavily on donated funds or grants - which isn't a great place to be considering the curretn economic climate. In the last few weeks we have applied for 3 grants, all of which have been succesful and will be applying for three more. At the end of the day though, there is more at stake for a NFP losing money than for a for-profit company (in my opinion) because not only will the business and its staff lose out but the people directly related to the cause, in our case the Deaf community.

Even though this is the case the working environment is caring and friendly and in a world where everyone looks out for themselves, it is quite refreshing and it is also a reminder for us not to forget those in need.

While I understand corporate for-profit business stimulates the economy, this place ment has broadened my perspectives on business, goverment policy and capitalism. I've learnt how to employ business strategy to achieve the best outcome for NFP's.

Hope you are all enjoying your placements,
Desiree