12^th August 2007

Does non-government necessarily mean non-profit?

Is it mandatory that employees of NGOs be paid a meager salary?

As an NGO, can’t an organization undertake to employ the best in the industry so as to bring in an able administration? Why do they have to wait until pangs of conscience strike the corporate citizen and he is willing to make the shift?

People who join NGOs today are hailed as the new generation who have dared to leave their comfortable, well-paid jobs to ‘sacrifice their lives’ for the welfare sector.

An NGO that would run as a regular organization that ploughs its profits into the welfare sector would function as a far more effective one than the existing ones that fall back on charity to keep their outfit operational, let alone to actually to effect changes.

Such an organization should strive to attract the best talent in the industry who would draw up a sound revenue model for them to make this a viable option.

An example-

An organization whose product offering would be education for the children who have been denied the same can tie-up with companies like a stationery manufacturer, colours company, toy company and the likes to generate funds for the same. A well thought-out marketing strategy as is done for most product launches or activities will ensure returns for the corporates too- thus giving the NGO a position of strength when approaching corporates for support.

Are we ready to take this first step towards corporatisation of the social welfare sector?