What Is a Not-for-profit Organization?

There are countless organizations and charities that work to help individuals or communities in need. These types of organizations are typically considered not-for-profits. Read on to find out what is a not-for-profit organization and how not-for-profits differ from nonprofit organizations.

什么是非营利组织?

A not-for-profit organization does not earn any profits for its owners. Instead, the organization donates the money it receives to help fund the organization’s objectives and goals. A not-for-profit might also use received donations to stay up and running.

In many cases, not-for-profits aretax-exempt, meaning they are not required to pay most taxes. However, businesses are not automatically exempt.

To achieve tax-exempt status, you must apply for it through the IRS. Qualifying not-for-profit organizations can apply for501(c)(3) status豁免联邦所得税。

For-profit vs. not-for-profit

税收和非营利性之间的主要区别是组织如何处理其利润。营利性组织或业务向业主分配利润。

Although they may differ when it comes to handling profits, for-profits and not-for-profits do have some similarities. Typically, not-for-profits use the same business strategies and techniques as for-profit organizations. Both organizations set goals and want to reach them.

营利性商业可以参与广泛的活动。另一方面,非营利组织必须独自经营为慈善机构或科学,宗教或公共安全目的。

Not-for-profits vs. nonprofits

许多人错误地误解了利润和非营利组织是一样的。但是,他们不是。看看下面的非营利组织和非营利性服务之间的差异。

Organization’s purpose
不营利:支持一个事业,活动或社区
Nonprofit: Supports charitable, educational, or religious purposes

Uses of profits
不营利:与其事业或目标相关的基金活动,爱好和娱乐
Nonprofit: Profits are used to support the organization’s cause or goal, but funds can also be used to pay for employee salaries and administrative need

Type of employees
Not-for-profit: Volunteers, paid staff, or a mixture of both
Nonprofit: Could have paid staff as well as paid volunteers

免税可用性
Not-for-profit: Yes (must be both state and federal levels)
Nonprofit: Yes (must be both state and federal levels)

库存选择可用性
Not-for-profit: No
非营利组织:没有

Types of not-for-profits

There are a couple of different types of not-for-profits. Some examples of not-for-profit organizations include:

  • Social organizations
  • Community organizations

Types of not-for-profits: Social organizations and community organizations

Social organizations

Social organizations strive to improve or cater to social causes. These organizations may assist the homeless, provide free legal services, or help veterans find work.

社会组织的盈利通常来自销售商品的捐款或利润。社会组织可能会使用任何利润,为需要的人提供服务或为组织的目标和运营提供资金(例如,用品)。

Community organizations

大多数非营利组织都被视为社区组织。他们可以从小型本地团体到全国各枝的大型机构。

Individuals establish community organizations to help with causes around the community. Some causes that community organizations might help with include cleaning up the community, improving neighborhoods, and promoting recycling locally.

Who can start a not-for-profit?

Anyone can start a not-for-profit. Most individuals start not-for-profits because they see a need in their community or the world (e.g., homelessness). Keep in mind that not-for-profits must be for causes relating to scientific, religious, or public safety purposes.

If you want to start a not-for-profit, you need to research the problem at hand. And, like other entrepreneurs, you must create abusiness plan。在建立业务计划时,概述问题,目标以及您计划如何实现目标。

Not-for-profit takeaways

If you’re a little perplexed about not-for-profits, don’t worry. Check out a summary of the key points about not-for-profits below.

A not-for-profit:

  • Owners make little to no profits
  • Can be tax-exempt
  • Is established to help with a cause or the community
  • 有志愿者或支付员工(或两者)
  • Can be started by almost any individual who has a legitimate charity or cause

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This article has been updated from its original publication date of July 29, 2015.

This is not intended as legal advice; for more information, please点击这里。

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