By Ime Ekpo There are several non-profit businesses and organizations all over this planet. A lot of us wonder, what exactly their purpose is and how are they a benefit to their causes and communities. Understanding the misconceptions behind non-profit businesses and organizations may give you a clearer picture about them. Maybe you will consider starting one? Here are the five most common misconceptions about non-profits. 1. They don’t earn any profit. This is obviously the main and number one misconception. Non-profits can gain profit, they just can’t spend them for private reasons. Meaning they can’t distribute their funds to private individuals. At times they may make a reasonable payment to someone who has done them a service. 2. They only use volunteers Now, non-profit businesses and organizations want to be able to count on their staff. Majority of the time they are staffed by paid professionals. Some of them may hire volunteers for the extra help. While it seems as if it is a common thing, it is actually very much less likely. 3. Non-profits only use a firsthand service model There are many non-profit job positions that will have you working in an office with departments ranging from administration to human resources. There are individuals who are skilled at dealing directly with helping the people of communities, and these are their daily duties. But it is imperative that the backend work is taken care of. A lot of times the office workers are eager to get out on the field and express their helping hand, but that is often less likely to happen. 4. Only failures work at nonprofits A lot of people are under the impression that people who have dropped out of college or never attended college, are the ones who get employed by nonprofits. Some say “failures” are even the ones to start one. This is not necessarily true. These people are simply very passionate about the cause and are following their personal endeavors. Nowadays, non-profits are demanding individuals with high end business knowledge and are only hiring people with MBA’s. 5. Nonprofits are poorly managed Just like there are many for-profit businesses that are horrifically managed, maybe like your current job? There are equally nonprofits that don’t have a good sense of organization. But that does not take away from the organizations that are prone to liability and completeness. With cautious hiring procedures, paid staffing, and management expertise there are many non profit businesses that are successful with organization.