National Nonprofit Day recognizes not only the nonprofit's altruistic goals of 'awareness, research, and aid' but it also acknowledges the positive impact they have on their communities and the world. In these stress-filled and busy times, it's often easy to forget why nonprofits are important not only in the lives of those they serve, but in the lives of everyone. Here are a few great reasons why we should all be thankful for nonprofits; listed in no particular order because each one is important.
1. Nonprofits give us strength; So many organizations provide support during our most difficult times, giving us strength today and hope for a better tomorrow
2. Nonprofits give us purpose. Volunteerism is good for the soul. We each need to feel useful and nonprofits provide us a way to help those most in need.
3. Nonprofits provide us with a safe space. Nonprofits makes us feel valued. They provide a place free from judgement. They strive for social good and bring humanity back to issues that are often stigmatized and leave those affected by them needing the most help.
4. Nonprofits allow us to enjoy the arts. They make art accessible to the masses. Countless museums and art associations are nonprofit organizations.
5. Nonprofits grow communities. Nonprofits and their services often represent a turning point in countless people's stories. These communities remind individuals that they are not alone.
6. Nonprofits step in when others won't. By their very nature, nonprofits are designed to provide things society needs, but that fall between what the government and private sector can't, or won't, provide. They do a great deal with very little.
7. Nonprofits teach us the value and reward of teamwork. Nonprofits show us that there is still hope for change driven by communities. They teach us the value of investing in human capital and what barriers can be broken when we work together.
8. Nonprofits level the playing field. Nonprofits bring solutions to problems and issues that, in many instances, would go unnoticed.
9. Nonprofits are HUGE employers. They account for 10% of the jobs in the US and 7% of the jobs worldwide.
10. Nonprofits dare us to dream. Nonprofits make the impossible their mission....often on a shoestring budget.
11. Nonprofits care about everyone and everything. You can find an organization for just about anything!
12. Nonprofits are information and resource creators. Even though not everyone will need to rely on the services of a nonprofit, there are many organizations that are well-established, connected, and ready to help those who don't know where, when, or how to start helping themselves. It's comforting to know they're there.
13. Nonprofit staffs sacrifice a lot in order to do good; from long hours to dangerous circumstances. Affecting change is hard work.
14. Nonprofits give us hope. They offer society, and thus the world, hope for a better life and a better tomorrow for everyone.
15. Nonprofits inspire us to become better people. Nonprofits bring out the inherent good in people (and frogs, too).
16. Nonprofits demonstrate that solutions to difficult problems do exist. Nonprofit leadership has taken on the monumental task of solving social problems. Solving these problems requires enormous expertise, diligence, and collaboration.
How to observe this special day? A. Take some time to learn more about nonprofits. Understanding that the funding for these organizations does more than just cover their mission statement, will help you see the benefits of supporting these worthy nonprofits. B. Volunteer. Nonprofits can always use an extra pair of hands! C. Use #NationalNonprofitDay on all your social media.
Nonprofit organizations help us so many ways. I, for one, am very grateful to each organization...as well as their staff and volunteers...for working hard to make this planet a better place for each of. Thank you.