Not to poop in the soup, but "non-profit" is a bit of a hazy term. It sounds like bfv works for one that really does help people. "Non-profit" can be used by companies to denote various things, but it also allows companies to get around taxes, if my understanding is correct. Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) are kind of like non-profits but they seek to serve communities whose needs are not being met by their local or national governments.
Not to pee in the Wheaties either, but maybe some of us are beating ourselves up too much since the question is about what do we "feel" we contribute. We all contribute in some way don't we? What a great question for a thread. The very act of reflecting on our contribution is a contribution in itself. A basic contribution, but a contribution nonetheless. Context is everything here. I'm a 39 year old public school teacher. I feel I could make a pretty strong case to other people of my contributions. Recently though, a legislator in my great state of Michigan referred to public educators as "pigs at the trough" as we drain public resources. I'm contributing the best I can with what I've got. Like an 18 year old living at home, I'm doing my best. I've gotta be kind to myself and keep working at it. I can't bother running myself down. There's too many folks out there that will do that for me. I like what I contribute, but I know there's always room for improvement.
I agree, it's a great question. In regard to that legislator's statement, that seems like an odd thing to say; wince when is using public resources to educate the public a "drain" on resources? Pig feed is used to feed pigs, after all. And the comparison may be more apt than the legislator intended. Pigs are highly intelligent (though not well-informed) and are driven by their appetites . . . much like certain economies, if one chooses to view them in that way.