What is the difference between working for a non-profit and being a volunteer?

Question

I went down to the Gulf region twice this year to help clean up after Hurricane Katrina. While I was there I helped build and tear down houses. What would that kind of work be called : non-profit or volunteer work? or both?

Answer 1

If you got paid you probably worked for a non-profit. If you did not get paid, you volunteered.

Answer 2

non profit - is when an organization does not make a profit - they take donations and have fund raisers - they pay for supplies and pay employee wages - but the proceeds all get turned back into the community -

a volunteer does not get paid - they sometimes work for non profit organizations - for free - or just volunteer to help any person out at no charge - its usually physicall - building or handing out plates for homeless and elderly -

if you did not get paid it was volunteer work - if you got paid anything other than room and board - it isnt non profit for you but the orginization you worked for was most likely non profit - if not then they should have paid you -

Answer 3

It all depends wether or not you got paid for your efforts?
If you went there and helped to clean up the mess even if they supplied food / water / shelter, but they didn't pay you cash. Then you are a volunteer wether or not you worked through a non profit organization.
Those types of businesses are charities mostly and not allowed by law to profit because they derive most of thier incomes from the public trust, but they're still able to pay thier employees and expenses.
At least thats how it works in my country!
I hope this helps you figure out your role there !

Answer 4

Volunteer, I believe. A nonprofit agency is a company whose main purpose is to provide a service. To be a nationally recognized nonprofit, you may not turn a cash profit. However, you may do business, which may involve receiving money for things (and donations too). And you may have employees, who function the same way employees of other companies or agencies function, with paychecks and benefits, etc. This is what it means to be "working for a nonprofit," having a paid position for a nonprofit organization.

Often people who work for nonprofit organizations make a bit less than those doing comparable work for government agencies or for-profit companies.

Volunteering is simply unpaid work. You don't have any formal affiliation with whoever you're giving your work to. It could be a for-profit company, a nonprofit agency, individuals in crisis or no... whatever you choose.

That help?

Answer 5

Like others, I believe what you did was volunteer work.

Also, I think the term non-profit usually applies to the organization that you work for, rather than yourself.

Oh, and ty the opportunity for working for some Yahoo points.

Answer 6

I always understood that 'non-profit' work meant that you were paid staff working for a non-profit agency. A volunteer, however, does not get paid except, perhaps, for expenses.

Answer 7

If you didn't get compensated for your time, you are volunteering. If you are hired as an employee or contractor for a non-profit corporation, then you are not a volunteer. Does this help?

Answer 8

If you did not get paid for it its volunteer. If you got paid it would be some thing like community out reach. Many non prifits have actual paid positions that are funded through grant money.

Answer 9

If you were paid by the non-profit agency, you worked for it. If you were unpaid, you were a volunteer.

Answer 10

Non-profit employee you get a paid for your services.
Volunteer - you don't get paid for your services,you are doing it out of commitment to the organization.