I’m very distraught about the situation I’m in and can’t decide how to deal with it.
I’ve worked for a nonprofit organization that helps the disabled community for the past 4 months. I really love the work I do with our consumers and finally feel at home in my role. My problem is our organization was embezzled from and is in debt almost $500,000. After a couple years of floundering it’s about to go under.
The Director has asked that everyone get on board with outreach and fundraising to save our sinking ship. We have just 12 employees. I’ve already volunteered my time for many fundraisers and worked overtime at others since being hired. Now they want us to ditch the “small time fundraisers” and cold call local businesses for large donations and sponsorships.
I offered to raise funds within my comfort zone which is social media or crowdfunding and was turned down. They uh… aren’t quite up to speed on those kind of things and don’t see the value there. I’ve even suggested that I make and sell items and donate all the proceeds to do my part but was told no. I just really, really, really don’t want to call businesses and ask for their money.
I just barely understand what services our organization offers and don’t quite grasp how a nonprofit is even funded. We get grants but they’re being used appropriately for necessary operations and I don’t know how they’re paying off the debt.
I’m willing to do certain things to help but being asked to do cold calls has made me depressed. I have severe anxiety about this and have been drinking and sleeping through the past week.
Is this just a normal condition of working for a nonprofit (embezzlement aside) and if I can’t hack it, should I leave?