For example, a hypothetical equine therapy nonprofit might pay an Executive Director, an accountant, a fundraiser, a volunteer coordinator, and a therapist. Start Your Plan. Directors and officers of the nonprofit cannot be paid, but people who hold a position within the company can be. Grants are an excellent option for nonprofits because an abundance of them is available, and they can often provide large sums of funding. For example, a financial advising company may choose to donate to an organization that teaches financial literacy. Myth: A well-run nonprofit should have low «overhead» costs Reality: Operating costs, such as paying utility bills, rent, salaries, and investing in office equipment are referred to by a variety of names, including «overhead,» «administrative costs,» and «indirect costs.