Not For Profits

He Re Fired!

Do you wonder why many business and educational executives are switching careers to get involved in non-profit-charities? Or, do you wonder which is easier to lead? I have the answers.

First, I left a career as a university administrator to do ministry. I have a Master's Degree in Higher Education and a Doctorate in Counseling. Yet, I was drawn by the Lord to use my training and skills to lead a church and other charitable organizations.

Like many executives, however, I am always on the lookout for business opportunities to make money and help people get work. In 1989 we established a Professional Counseling Clinic and In Patient Psychiatric Hospital. It was a ministry and a a professional career. In 1994, after heart problems surfaced, I retired to go back to ministry.

I can tell you for certain that leading non-profits is harder than heading a profit organization. Here are more stories from executives who decided they needed to use their talents and training to help charities. Many find it a real challenge.

Testimonies from The Chronicle of Philanthropy

While charities often try to lure executives from the business world, some former corporate executives are finding themselves drawn to nonprofit work — though there are some bumps along the way, reports The Financial Times.
Connie Duckworth, a retired advisory director at Goldman Sachs, founded Arzu Rugs, a nonprofit group that helps Afghan women sell the rugs they weave, after a visit to Afghanistan.

Kelly Fiore, who worked for Lehman Brothers and Goldman Sachs, left the business world and created Charity Folks, an online marketplace that auctions items and events donated by public figures; though it is a business, 80 percent of donations go to charity, the newspaper reports.

“I loved the intellectual challenge, and both organizations were phenomenal to work for from a career-development standpoint,” Ms. Fiore says. “But I started wondering what I was doing every day and what effect I was having on the world.”

Business people who make the transition to nonprofit work face several hurdles: the lack of technology and other support, lower pay, and cultural differences between business and charity, for example. But executives can also contribute their business skills to nonprofit management.

John Wood, who left Microsoft to start Room to Read, a group that supports literacy and education in several countries, says: “I tell our team that we want to run Room to Read with the compassion of Mother Teresa but the focus and tenacity of a blue-chip company.”

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Because the USA is growing retired Executives and Retired Workers faster than we are growing Kudzu, it is important that most folk not Retire but Re fire!

Before you build that over sized mansion on the 18Th hole, think about networking with other Seasoned Believers to find ministry opportunities and stay alive spiritually, emotionally and physically. People who work and volunteer live longer, happier and healthier lives. What is so bad about that???

Contact Sweeten Life Systems

P.O. Box 498455

Cincinnati, Ohio 45249