[MD] growth and sustainability

[David M]

Hi Krim

Well said, we need to find ways to move our economies to
having a larger non-profit sector don't you think? Just feel
the quality.

DM

> [Mel]
> Not for profit operations often operate less efficiently
> and squander any chance of surplus and returns less
> if anything to community.
>
> [Krimel]
> This is not only wrong it is down right offensive. Non-profits tend to be
> mission driven. Unlike for profits they have a purpose for existing beyond
> the mundane profit motive. They have Values. Some non-profits like the
> Salvation Army, the Red Cross or even the Catholic Church have assets and
> annual budgets in the billions of dollars. Others like small business are
> run by well meaning people with high ideals and little administrative
> ability. Like entrepreneurs these too can fail.
>
> I have personally worked with a number of non-profits over the years. 
> Their
> staff members tend to be dedicated and underpaid relative to the private
> sector. But many people find it satisfying when their work means 
> something,
> when it helps others and advances Values other than profit.
>
> You talk about squandered surplus. Where does that come from? One of the
> problems I have seen in non-profits is that they have been slow to adopt
> technologies, that could improve efficiency, because they don't have 
> surplus
> cash to invest in the technology or the support staff to maintain it.
>
> Many services provided by non-profits are the kinds of services that the
> private sector either can't or won't touch or when they do they botch the
> job. Homeless services for example are often provided by faith based
> non-profits in part because there is so little money available for this
> purpose that only the call of God can motivate people to tackle such 
> tasks.
>
> You say, they return less, if anything to the community? My God man, 
> please
> go to your local United Way office and ask about the services provided by
> their member organizations. Ask about the budget allocation process. Ask
> about the number served and the unmet need in your community.
>
> In fact or at least in theory the only difference between a private and
> non-profit organization is what happens to the "profits". In the private
> sector profits are dumped into the pockets of owners and investors. In
> non-profits surplus funds are reinvested into the mission of the
> organization.
>
> One might be so crass as to say the difference between the two is that
> non-profits are driven by and support a host of different human values. 
> For
> profits value cash, often at the expense of every other human value.
>
>
>
>
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