What’s Behind a Non-Profit?
Oliver Krzeczowski, Walter Payton College Prep High School, Senior, Spring 2026
Whether a bake sale on a sunny summer day or a coat drive deep into the dreaded cold of winter, non-profits employ a multitude of different strategies to make an impact in their communities. Behind the good work that these organizations do is essentially a business. A financial machine, bringing together funds to later redistribute in support of its mission. Understanding exactly how non-profits work can not only be eye-opening, but can also help someone passionate about an issue to take action.
Non-profit organizations may not chase profits, but they do deal with money, and often a lot of it. The National Philanthropic Trust reported that in 2024, “Americans gave $592.5 billion” to charity (National Philanthropic Trust, 2026). That staggering figure flows into organizations that must carefully manage their share to survive, grow, and continue making the impact they strive to make. Providing insight on this management, Economic Awareness Council Executive Director Tracy Frizzell says, “there are over five different types of insurance, employee benefits, corporate policies, and audits involved in running EAC.”
Most of an organization’s funding comes from a mix of individual donations, corporate sponsorships, and foundation and governmental grants. Non-profit organizations hold 501(c)(3) status, meaning that they don’t pay federal taxes. When an entity donates to an organization with this status, the donation counts as a tax-deductible charitable contribution, which is in some cases a main motivator of donating. Behind every non-profit is a team tediously filing grants, projecting budgets, and maintaining cash flows. Per CandidLearning, in America, “approximately 12.8 million people were employed in the non-profit sector” in 2022 (Candid Learning, 2026). This involves specialized skills, necessary to uphold a standard of community impact and financial integrity.
Although this may all seem daunting, even as a teen, if you’re passionate about a unique issue in your community, you can start your own organization. During his sophomore year of high school, Kai Fogelson noticed a gap in his community. He started exploring ways to get students more exposure and involvement in healthy eating. He advises that “a lot of building an organization is learning as you go, staying consistent and being willing to ask for help along the way.” If you have a genuine mission, go out and build it, the support will come along the way.
Tracy Frizzell, Executive Director, Economic Awareness Council
Kai Fogelson - President/Founder Hydroponic Venture Project
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