Stuff White People Like

I work at a non-profit so I can leave my nose ring on and wear outdoor performance clothes and sneakers everyday. It’s a fabulous lifestyle.

As much as I love this blog, this is just silly – white people don’t work for non-profits because of the salaries (which are EXTRAORDINARILY LOW), they work there because it makes them look good to be able to say “I work for a non-profit!”

Foundations, on the other hand, there’s a way to make some cash…

actually i couldn’t agree more. I suggest ya’ll read Paul Farmer, and see what he has to say about NGO’s a Not-For-Profits. all though i believe he’s a white man lol

Lucas running a little vulgar and bitter on the inside at position number 20 nonetheless has done his homework and offers insights. Recommended reading.

competitive salary? i work for a non-profit organization and for the amount of various skills that i use on a daily basis, the salary is certainly not competitive.

Having worked in both non-profits and for evil corporations this rings pretty true. While salaries are not competitive, if you never leave and are capable enough to both walk and chew gum at the same time you will eventually end up at the C level and be earning $100,000 for what is in reality not THAT hard a job.

This liberal arts degreed white boy worked at a non-profit for many years (in part because I wasn’t qualified for a real job) and was promoted and given titles WAY above my actual qualifications – I even had my own office. Don’t forget that non-profits are often very hierarchal because their core reason for being is rooted in the idea of hierarchy, “we better off will help those worse off” and this is reflected in the organizational structure of the non-profit.

The other good thing about being a white boy at a non profit is when I got tired of earning $30,000 and had developed all the socially conscious credibility needed I went on to get an Ivy League MBA and upped my salary by over $70,000. The white folks who stayed behind in the non-profit fell into a few categories: those who were essentially unemployable in any role with performance accountability, those guilty about their trust funds (makes it a lot easier to live on your low salary) and don’t forget the angry middle class white women who are still acting out their rebellion against their suburban upbringing right up to the point where they meet a guy like me (six figure salary, but credible background as someone “who cares”) and get married and become a suburban mom drinking fair trade coffee, shopping at IKEA and talking about the evils of Haliburton while ferrying their kids to soccer practice and French lessons in their hybrid SUV.

Yeah, where are those non-profits that pay six figures? I’m white, make less than $30k full time, and have crappy health insurance. There’s plenty of diversity at my office as well.

I think you meant to say “stockbroker” instead of “non-profit.”

This blog is hilariously ironic in its ignorance.

Damn! Somebody point me toward a nonprofit that pays a competitive, six-figure wage with no accountability and no pressure.

Because in 25 years of working in nonprofits, I ain’t never found me that combination. In fact, I’m not sure I’ve ever found one of those things.

I do have that self-satisfied sense of satisfaction though! You should try it.

A link to this website was sent to me recently because my friends know this is exactly the sort of thing that keeps me entertained for hours. I am now looking forward to each new post with the anticipation of a five year old little girl on her birthday looking for her new pony.

I am white, and educated, and I am able to laugh at the fact that I can relate to most of these posts. (the “white people like gay friends” is a classic) However, I have to say this is probably the most unfounded of any of the entries. After I finished college two years ago I started out at a non-profit that was considered huge for the area (just over 80 employees and about 30 regular volunteers). The agency struggled constantly to balance community needs and maintaining their budget. I met some of the most selfless people when I worked there and I have amazing respect for who they are, what they do, and why they do it. I, unfortunately, did not have family money or a well off spouse to rely on and had to sell out. I left a job I loved and great people to work with because after my power was turned off I realized I couldn’t afford to keep working there.
And I was the salaried marketing coordinator.

Are there some non-profit positions that pay well, sure, but is the average non-profit worker getting paid well for what they are doing… well, let’s just say you would have better chances of convincing my dog it’s not ok to lick his private area in front of company.

There are over 1.2 million nonprofit organizations in the US, employing around eleven million people. If you want to bag on someone who is willing to work 50 hours a week for $22,000 a year, that you’re call, but I’m going to throw the bullshit flag. I’ve been there, and it wasn’t b/c of white guilt either. I am proud to say I live pretty guilt free. Well, I do feel kind of bad for making my dog stop licking his balls when I know he enjoys it so much…

You are aware, I assume, that colleges, universities, schools, and hospitals are also considered “non-profit” institutions, right? It’s not just organizations and foundations.

They are.

Take a look around and try to sell me that “only White” employee stuff. It won’t fly.