I transitioned from work to retirement, not to a nonprofit, but I knew exactly that it was what I needed to do for so many reasons. When it's right, you know it in your bones. Sounds to me like you're ready for a change. Go for it.

It sounds like you can financially swing it and it will be personally rewarding. Only you can tell if it's the right move, but joyless work is stressful. Good luck with the decision.

DS works for a non profit for a cause he is passionate about and his GF works for a similar org. They love their jobs. They will never be rich but they could care less. They live modestly but have what they need and are still able to take nice trips, contribute to a 401k and have savings. Lots of friendships and camaraderie with coworkers because they have the same ideals and are all working for a common goal.

I had a well paying job thanks to the union, but it was joyless, bad supervisors, coworkers I barely knew after 10 years working together. It sucked the life out of me. I retired as soon as I could.

So I say go for it. Life's too short to be miserable just for a bigger paycheck. Good luck!

I did it for over three years before I moved out of the area. Took a 40% wage cut, but it was a precious vocation! I was able to fulfill my dream of working with international missions without leaving the country (health reasons would prevent that.) I wish I had that opportunity here, and will pursue volunteer work when I formally retire.

The only con is that with the wage cut, we were unable to pack away funds for retirement on the same scale as before. That 40% (of my lower wage) was about what we were saving.

"So I say go for it. Life's too short to be miserable just for a biggerpaycheck. Good luck!"

I so totally agree with this! If you are able to swing it and have the opportunity to do something you love, something that makes a difference - go for it!!

I worked for non-profits for almost my entire career, in fund development (fundraising). First I will tell you that you may be working just as hard for less money. However, my benefits were as good or better than what some of my friends who worked in the corporate world received. I always had good health care (except at a large university which offered only an HMO). Most places had excellent retirement funds and matched my contributions. I am even receiving a pension now that I am retired. I had plenty of vacation time (or personal time) too. Sometimes these benefits make up for the lower salaries although people in higher positions at large non-profits do very well. On the other hand some of my retired friends who worked in the corporate world are also getting subsidized health care and much larger pensions than mine.

Small non-profits have a more laid back atmosphere but large ones are just as corporate as for-profits.

Will you be doing the actual work that the non-profit does or is it a "back room" position? If you are doing office work and not a provider of the actual mission of the org, you may find it less than rewarding. For instance, would you be a social worker actually getting out and working with people or would you be an accountant managing the org's money? Big difference.

Things I missed about a big non-profit when I went to a small one was things like decent computers and an IT office. Enough supplies or printed material to do my work well. There were always budgetary concerns. I also found that employees of a small non-profit were less motivated and watched the clock a lot.

Hope I am not coming across as being down on NPs. I loved working for some of them and you get to see and do many things that are never part of the corporate world. You cannot put a price on being happy in your work. Just keep in mind that it is still work and you will have goals to meet and metrics the same as any other place that you work.

I still say go for it but go in with your eyes open.

If you are sure that it is okay for you financially (and perhaps meet with a planner if you are not certain), I would do it. It's not irreversible ... you can try it, and if it is not what you thought, look for a job back in corporate America, or another non-profit. I think most people soon realize that the greatest luxury in life isn't anything you've seen in an advertisement, but the freedom to spend your time, your life, doing what you want to do. Whatever that may be.

Thank you, all! I'm leaning towards taking the plunge, but still need to do some legwork. It appears to be a well-run and well-funded organization.

Dedtired, I would not be on the front lines, so to speak, but would be involved in a very interesting (to me) aspect of it. I feel it's certainly a better use of my skills than producing umpteen million billable hours a week.

Loonlaborcamp, ouch, 40% cut...that is kind of the position we're in, that my income goes towards retirement, so that's one of my concerns. Sounds like you loved it and have no regrets.

Joaniepoanie, I can relate to your situation. I have about fifteen years left before retirement and that's not how I want to spend them! Good for your son and his GF!

Robo, yes, those are familiar scenarios I'm trying to avoid. I'm sure the work environment and culture varies wildly from place to place.

Agreed that it's not a permanent move, MtnRd, though I very much want to find something and stick with it for the duration.

I've worked for non-profits most of my life. They are no more likely to be well run, fun or good places to work than a for-profit, and also no less likely to be horrible, cutthroat places. There are always fresh faces available nowdays in any work situation, so more work is expected for less money and often stressful conditions due to short staff or short supplies. Watch out for high staff turnover, that is a dead ringer the place is not what it seems. Vet the management, ask around to people who have worked with or for the boss. You will end up with significantly less earning power working long-term in the non-profit sector, have no illusions. Money is tight for non-profits right now, the work is for the good of society, but it is personally stressful. And despite the good work you do, you could get laid off if fortunes there change.

I agree with pinkmountain. You may not work less hard than before, but you may earn less money. I spent my entire career in non-profits (higher education) and found that there is stress and office politics issues, just like in for-profits (my DH has spent his entire career with a for-profit company).

I had to observe many local, state and federal regulations that DH was unencumbered with. And extraordinary effort was not necessarily rewarded with higher pay. DH was lucky to receive pay incentives, bonuses, group trips, special gifts, etc., which I didn't have the opportunity to earn. But, on the other hand, my state retirement system is great.