INFJs are the Perfect Non-Profit Founders & Here's Why
Updated: Jul 5
Individuals with the INFJ personality type could do very well in the non-profit sector. If you haven't taken the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator, check out the free one on 16personalities! (Not sponsored - we just enjoy personality tests and overall self-reflection*.) Figure out your 4- or 5-letter personality type, and do a little digging if you haven't already!
*Disclaimer: Personality tests, even those as popular as the MBTI, are just an indicator of what category you may fall into. We, by no means, think that the world full of people can be divided up into only 16 personality types. However, it's a good starting point if you're looking into getting to know yourself better!
INFJ - The Advocate
Fun fact: As our founder, I am an INFJ! This means I may be a little bit biased, but... the characteristics don't lie! ;) And it gives me purpose and the drive to keep going knowing that my personality type aligns with my thought process. Anyhow...
INFJ stands for:
Introversion
Intuition
Feeling
Judgment
As the name implies, those who test as an INFJ tend to advocate for an "idealistic" world. While in some cases this can be harmful, it can also propel their drive to change the world! They want real, honest change to be their legacy (Read about my hopeful legacy here!). There are always healthy and unhealthy traits to every personality type. However, a healthy INFJ will be able to tap into innovations that may have not been thought of before. Here are some of the INFJ characteristics that make them great candidates for founding a non-profit organization. INFJs tend to be:
Highly focused on finding their true purpose in life.
Introspective, taking in and analyzing everything and everyone around them (in a helpful, empathetic way).
Quiet, but when they really care about something, they go hard!
Optimistic for a better world,
Yet realistic that not everything is sunshine and roses.
Career Paths for INFJ Personalities
Career Karma states that INFJs love to make plans (true!), and it is ideal that those plans have a humanitarian purpose (also true!). The article goes on to list out some of the best career paths for INFJs:
Environmental Scientist
Human Resources
Nonprofit Organizations
Psychologist
Professor
Graphic Designer
Software Developer
Tech Support
Why Working For (or Founding!) A Non-Profit Organization is Ideal
INFJ types love to consider every possibility and research as much as they can into why things are the way that they are. They don't like working solely for financial gain (especially if it's dishonorable!). This makes the non-profit, charitable sphere the perfect choice for a true INFJ.
If you test as an INFJ and are wondering if this is the path for you, ask yourself the following questions:
What are you passionate about, and what can create meaning in your life?
If you are passionate about multiple things, can you combine those into one non-profit mission?
What purpose can you see yourself advocating for for the rest of your life?
Do you want to work just for money, or do you want to work for actual change?
Do you feel the overwhelming sense that you need to have meaning in your life?
Are you prepared to work hard for this non-profit organization?
To explain #6, if it's not something that fulfills your life purpose, as an INFJ, you won't be putting your all into it. This is something extremely necessary for non-profit organizations to be successful, so be truthful with yourself! It needs to be something that sets your soul on fire (as cheesy as that sounds - that's what INFJs look for in this lifetime!).
Once you decide that you want to follow the non-profit route, it can seem daunting. However, it's so rewarding, especially for an INFJ. INFJs crave meaning. Others around you may not (and probably WILL not) understand.
Things to Remember as an INFJ in the Non-Profit World
(BTW, I'm reminding myself of these things simultaneously!)
You've probably heard that saying, "It won't be easy, but it will be worth it" (or something along those lines). Well, it's pretty applicable to the life of an INFJ. The only things that they are willing to work hard for are a) people they care deeply about and b) their life purpose. And most times, they've done the research (over and over again) to know all the facts before deciding this life purpose. So, the road will be a bit rocky, but remember:
This will truly fulfill you. Keep going!
Otherwise, you won't feel full, and the world will miss out on your unique viewpoint.
Other people may think it's silly or strange. That's okay. INFJs are thought to be very rare (1-3% of the population!).
You'll feel conflicted a lot. That's also okay. Keep writing down your plans, and keep moving forward. Your idealistic brain will work things out, and the world will be better for it.
Some of the most influential people in history are thought to have been INFJs, including (but not limited to):
Plato
Carl Jung
Gandhi
Agatha Christie (!!!! *fangirling*)
This just shows that when an INFJ commits to a purpose, they can truly make a difference and leave their mark on the world. Shut all the other noise out! *Reminds self*