Nonprofits and For-profit Firms: Exploring Meaningful Work and Employee Fulfillment

This research paper explores the relationship between employee work type (nonprofit or for-profit) and the perception of meaningful work, aiming to identify who feels the most fulfilled. Previous research shows that factors affecting employee satisfaction in nonprofit and for-profit firms have not been clearly identified. I examined differences between for-profit and nonprofit firms using a cross-sectional survey analyzing career satisfaction, environment, stress, pay, situations, and perceived societal impact. While hypotheses anticipate higher meaningful work in nonprofit firms and acknowledge stress's impact, this research challenges prior assumptions about factors influencing meaningful work. The study concludes by emphasizing the need for further exploration through a larger sample size and the critical role of nurturing purpose-driven cultures in all workforces.