Are nonprofit organizations really a bunch of sad saps?  All this time I thought it was just a tax code.

But the first time I asked a group to share what thoughts came immediately to mind when they heard the word nonprofit, I nearly fell over.  They said things like “poorly run.” “under-resourced,” “behind the curve,” “do good work,” “small boards,” and “there’s too many.”  I couldn’t believe it!

These folks certainly didn’t have a very good impression of the sector.

I tried it again with a different group – similar responses except even worse.  I think it’s time to determine what is at the root of this and re-balance the scale.

I worked in the sector for many years and know these descriptions to be false for most organizations.  But clearly the rest of the world has mixed feelings.  I was so appalled by these negative viewpoints that I wrote a chapter in my book about it.

And I was so pleased to see that Vu from Nonprofit With Balls wrote a blog with a similar slant this week.  It resonated with me so much, I’m sharing it here. 

We Need to Stop Treating Nonprofits the Way Society Treats Poor People lists 8 biases that show through when many people interact with nonprofits. Personally, I see the punishment of success bias most often.

I hope you find a few quiet moments to read it, reflect on how you can shift your mindset if you realize you have some bias, and then comment below.

Our nonprofit leaders are charging boldly forward for social good and they need our best selves working alongside them.

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