Nonprofits - who benefits?

I'm working on a paper for my capstone class...and while I say working, I'm pretty much stalled. I think I've done everything else I can think of except for focus on what I really need to. Yet, while I think about my paper I crawl inside my brain and take a look around. Some days I wonder what is going on in there - others, I simply amaze myself!

I'm writing about non-profit organizations and how they exist on two fronts - first, to serve individuals. We have come to know in this day and age, people need help - individuals that are homebound need individuals to come in a check on them, for individuals of all ages we may attend a weekly church service to fill our spiritual needs. Sometimes we need non-profits to make sure we are healthy and on a track to wellness...it doesn't matter who you are, a nonprofit has touched your life at one point or another. So, we have non-profits that exists to serve others.

Then, we have people that seek out non-profits so they can aid in working toward the goal or purpose of the mission of the organization. The organization is operating on two fronts, a place to give and a place to receive.

Who benefits more? Is it the person that volunteers their time and energy or is it the person needing the goods and services provided?

I only ask because I'm at a fortunate point in my life where I have the ability to volunteer my time and talents. I have the opportunity to give back to my community and I am almost feeling a void in my heart because I want to much to help our returning veterans that I continue to seek out an organization that I can implement One George! I want to help, I really do and I have such a "need" it is almost debilitating! How is this different than the returning veteran that needs an organization he or she can trust to fulfill their need? Who needs the nonprofit more?

It is merely a question and one I think is important to consider when we start investigating the role non-profit organizations play in our every day lives.

So....as I head back to work on my paper - continue to think how you can give back to those that give so much and let me know what you find. Until then.....