HOME > BLOG 04 MARCH 2020 By Alison Hill, The Fred Hollows Foundation
In the job market, you may be familiar with these two sectors – the private sector (business) and the public sector (government). But how familiar are you with the third sector? Not-for-profit (NFP) and non-government-organisations (NGO), including charities and social enterprises, fall into this category and offer a unique perspective to job seekers. While each of these sectors plays an important part in our economy and adds value to our society, and the private and public sectors are both well-known, I’ll be covering the NFP sector and sharing insights on why it is such a rewarding career choice for you. COVER PHOTO: Alison Hill and The Foundation’s team talk to the father of a little girl who has had her sight restored. PHOTO CREDIT: Michael Amendolia (2019))
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The definition of a not-for-profit organisation (NFP) is mentioned in the name itself. It is an organisation that doesn’t stand to make profits for its individual members, but instead raises funds to deliver programs or advocate for the betterment of people, the planet or wildlife, and furthers a specific social cause. For instance, The Fred Hollows Foundation’s core purpose is to restore sight. We exist for the benefit of those who are blind or vision impaired. NFPs exist for the advancement of society and they focus on improving every facet of people’s lives, helping marginalised groups access basic human rights, including food, clean water, shelter, clothing, and socio-economic opportunities. There are several charitable organisations that commit themselves to helping people affected by hunger, poverty, war, displacement, and lack of access to education, employment and proper health care. And the work they do plays an important role in supporting not just individuals, but wider communities, and entire countries and their economies. According to The Cause Report, a research paper by JBWere, the NFP sector ‘is the glue which holds much of Australian society together and allows it to function and prosper.’
There are several reasons why you could consider pursuing a career in the NFP sector:
When you consider that a third of your day is spent at work, job satisfaction becomes paramount. The feel-good factor of working for a worthy cause, and seeing that the impact your contribution is making in the lives of real people is rewarding and a strong motivator. It’s a great way to boost your sense of purpose, and wake up with a spring in your step, ready to tackle each day’s new challenges with enthusiasm.
In some instances, working for a corporation can feel impersonal, making it difficult to truly connect with a business’ goals. Especially if you’re stuck in a rut and are struggling to find a sense of purpose. At a NFP, you’ll be able to use your skills, education and experience to influence true social change. No matter what your passion is, there are a variety of jobs in the NFP sector that will help you find your true calling.
Working for a NFP can have the advantage of exposing you to people from all walks of life. Not only will you be working with likeminded people to achieve your charity’s core goals, you’ll also encounter amazing donors, volunteers, and fundraisers who go above and beyond to help their fellow human beings by supporting your cause. On top of this, if you have a role where you meet the beneficiaries you help, their strength and determination is humbling and life-enriching all at once.
Inspired by the work and life of Professor Fred Hollows and his mission for everyone to exercise their right to quality and easily accessible eye care, The Foundation, works towards ending avoidable blindness and improving eye health in remote Australian communities and around the world. We are a development organisation that focuses on creating sustainable change and ending avoidable blindness. And we primarily work on eye diseases, such as cataract, trachoma, diabetic retinopathy, and uncorrected refractive errors. We ensure prevention, screening and treatment is more readily accessible in underserved areas by working with governments to better implement eye health systems and train local doctors, nurses and health workers to help their communities. In 2019, The Foundation ranked fifth in the 2019 Australian Charity Reputation Index survey. This study is conducted yearly by the Reputation Institute to measure the Australian public’s view of the overall reputation of Australia’s 40 largest charities. Measurements include ranking for trust, overall esteem, governance, leadership, and cost management to name just a few. Wondering whether we’d be a good fit for you? Our work culture focuses on these four core values:
Alison Hill is the Director of Brand and Communications at The Fred Hollows Foundation. Alison joined The Foundation five years ago after a long-standing career in journalism and government relations, and is passionate about telling the stories of the people The Foundation helps. The first time she experienced a ‘Fred moment’ firsthand, when a blind toddler’s patches were removed after a successful eye surgery, Alison was moved beyond words and vowed to make those miraculous ‘Fred moments’ possible for many more people who are avoidably blind. As well as raising awareness about The Foundation’s work, she is always keen to put her best foot forward, and often takes part in fundraising events like the Eureka Stairclimb to further support our work.
Chini had been a strong and capable woman, but when cataracts took her sight, they also took many of the things that mattered to her – like being able to visit the temple and pray. Like many Nepalese people, Chini couldn't have afforded eye surgery. In developing countries, blindness can impact the whole family. An eye clinic supported by The Fred Hollows Foundation was her only chance to have her sight restored. See more stories like Chini's on our YouTube channel.