When we speak of aligning one’s work with their values, it is common to hear about working with nonprofits. It is often seen as a noble and fulfilling career option. Since nonprofits work on solving crucial social problems and supporting vulnerable communities, working with them can bring deep satisfaction and a sense of purpose.
However, there is another side of working with nonprofits – which is immense pressure and feeling lost. This is because people working in nonprofits face unique challenges and stressors that are not seen in large profit-making corporations. While it cannot be denied that employees in profit-making entities have their own challenges too, we will discuss here the many stress points that are unique to working in nonprofits.
The noble mission and its challenges
As mentioned above, nonprofits are often driven by the idea of making a social impact. This is why they attract individuals who relate to that idea and want to contribute to creating an impact. However, the very nature of the work can be stressful for the employees. Because the goals are ambitious and the change is mostly extremely slow, it can lead to mental exhaustion and burnout for the employees as they feel that their work is not creating the desired impact. Further, because they are so dedicated to the cause, they often work long hours and juggle multiple responsibilities which can add to the stress.
Financial constraints and job security
The second biggest challenge of working in nonprofits is the financial instability under which they operate. Most of the nonprofits are dependent on grants, funding or government support to fulfil their financial obligations. However, there can be periods when the sources of funding dry up or there are significant delays in receiving the money that is needed for everyday functioning or paying salaries. The constant pressure to secure funding can also drain organisations’ resources and distract them from their core work causing more frustration for the employees.
High workload and burnout
This financial instability and limited sources of funding are also linked with high workload for the employees. Since there are often less people and more work because nonprofits cannot invest heavily in human resources, it leads to each individual taking up more responsibility than they can manage to take care of. Because of this, employees can feel overwhelmed by the amount of work, the urgency with which they have to perform the tasks, and the stakes involved. This can take an emotional toll on them.
Emotional labour and compassion fatigue
Non-profit employees who work on the grassroots and are constantly in touch with vulnerable people and communities; they are exposed to a lot of human suffering on an everyday basis. This type of work requires a lot of emotional labour as the struggling communities and people may expect too much from the individuals. In addition, not being able to help these people to the desired extent can also be emotionally draining for the nonprofit employees. In the long run, it can also lead to compassion fatigue and reduced ability to empathise with others. This can have a direct impact on mental health of the employees and can also lead to a decrease in job satisfaction.
Lack of resources and support
While large profit-making organisations have many processes in place to take care of their employees, nonprofits often operate on thin budgets. Therefore, it is difficult for them to maintain infrastructure that is high-quality. Often, the technology that is in use is also outdated and several initiatives for providing better support to employees are also missing. This makes the job more challenging and can make the employees feel isolated.
Bureaucratic and regulatory challenges
One of the biggest challenges of running a nonprofit in India is navigating through the bureaucratic structure to receive the necessary permissions. Complying with legal and regulatory requirements can be daunting for organisations that are already struggling because of resource constraints. It can also have a severe negative impact on their funding. All this adds to the stress of working in a nonprofit where things are uncertain all the time.
Addressing the challenges
In India, the nonprofit sector plays a vital role in addressing a wide range of social issues, from healthcare and education to disaster management and women empowerment. However, the sector also faces unique challenges that can contribute to stress among employees. As discussed above, these challenges can cause stressful working conditions for the employees. Therefore, it is needed that some steps are taken to make things better for the people working with nonprofits. Here are some of the steps that can be taken:
- Work-life balance: As the nature of work with nonprofits is inherently mentally challenging, organisations need to establish unique processes that address these challenges and help with creating a good balance between work and personal life.
- Mental health support: Nonprofit employees work on the ground and may encounter situations which have a negative effect on their mental health. Therefore, a dedicated mental health support system can be extremely helpful for them.
- Professional development: Investing in upskilling employees and helping them move forward in their career can go a long way. It can help them stay aligned with the work they are doing and find purpose to keep going in a challenging, slow-moving environment.
- Robust administration: Since nonprofits have to spend a lot of time complying with regulatory standards, a well-functioning administration can help with easing the processes and ensuring compliance.
- Sustainable funding: The biggest challenge for nonprofits is to stay afloat and receive funding for its operations. Therefore, nonprofits must strive to find sustainable sources of funding that can be reliable and help them work with a long-term vision.
Waving goodbye to the stress of working in nonprofits
Working in nonprofits like ours can be incredibly rewarding, but it also comes with unique stress points that can impact the well-being of employees. By recognising and addressing these challenges, nonprofits can create a healthier and more sustainable work environment. Prioritising employee well-being is not only essential for the individuals working in the sector but also for the effectiveness and impact of the organisations themselves. In the Indian context, where nonprofits play a critical role in addressing social issues, it is particularly important to support the dedicated individuals who drive this important work.