What are the payoffs/benefits for all the hard work and sacrifices?

I am very curious if there is some sort of payoff, benefit or gain for the staff and public that are still in.

They pay for empty org buildings without return, suffer on staff without pay taking abuse and bullying, put up with numerous mistake re-done books and services, put up with ethics humiliation, etc.

Looking at the other side of the coin, could they feel some sort of pride, self esteem, superiority, altruism, or validation as pay? Why stay if there weren't some kind of benefit?

What are the payoffs/benefits for all the hard work and sacrifices?