When the idea of a Not for Profit organisation pops into someone’s head, much like a new business, product, or service, it does because a gap in the needs of the community they’re in is observed.

They are driven to provide a solution, and motivated to do something about it.

This is, essentially, the basis of human compassion; the seeing and understanding of a need, and feeling compelled to help fulfil that need.

Whether this is compassion towards a particularly group of people with a medical condition, or undesirable circumstances, a sporting or other club, educational or other supportive facility that is struggling for existence, much less longevity is not the point.

The point is that empathy happened, and compassion kicked in.

Unfortunately, economics also kicks in. Money is needed for longevity of the organisation, and financials become the focus. Compassion remains, although overshadowed by the need to rake in the dollars, focus alters, and in many cases, burnout can occur.

In order to keep an NFP functioning, it needs an adequate amount of both compassion and money. Without one or the other, it will flounder; sometimes from within, and more often from the perspective of those outside. The perception is that it has become all about the dollars, and not about the cause itself.

This great article found on Agenda, on How to build a caring economy explains this well. How the concept of homo economicus, that people are inherently selfish and motivated by their own wants, is not as black and white as it appears.

People are also inherently empathetic and compassionate, albeit to considerably varying degrees. Although it appears it “just is”, there is evidence to suggest that mindset and levels of compassion can be altered. Much like a muscle can be trained to be stronger, so too can areas of the brain; including the area designated to compassion.

Working within the team of an NFP to strengthen this area is essential for not only the longevity of the organisation, but for that of the team members. Retaining the focus, even when the cause is overshadowed by the need for funds and goals appear to alter, compassion can remain the driving force behind it all.

Mindfulness and brain training significantly enhance the idea of compassion intrinsically within individuals. Once mastered within in the team – and the team in its entirety, including front line workers, call centres, the marketing department and beyond – skills obtained can be used to alter perceptions, strengthen compassion, and engage the general public to support your cause.

Even in the cases of small clubs or organisations, encouraging and building compassion within the parents, other key stakeholders, and even local business is attainable.

Building a caring economy is not only beneficial to societies generally, they are essential for the survival of your Not For Profit organisation; whatever that organisation is driven by and whatever the need it fulfils.