The independent sector provides a source of creative experimentation and problem solving, and offers diverse approaches to meeting community needs. Nonprofit organizations have more flexibility than government agencies or large corporations, so they can respond quickly to changing community needs. Voluntarism and Resident Involvement One of the most basic concepts of nonprofit organizations is that they are established and governed by volunteers. Many nonprofit organizations have paid staff. Many nonprofit organizations proudly identify themselves as being grassroots or community-based , to emphasize their links to neighborhoods and to people from a variety of socioeconomic, educational, and occupational backgrounds.
Volunteers are people who become involved with a group, and stay involved, by choice.
While many people feel similarly committed to their jobs, people also may remain in their jobs primarily because of the salary or security it offers, not because they would voluntarily choose that job over other possible employment. When people volunteer, they do make this choice. A nonprofit organization has no owners. It exists for the public good, and its governing body is responsible for assuring that its work benefits the public, or some specific segment of the public. If any of its activities make money, that money goes back into the work of the organization.