Nonprofit organization

"Registered association" redirects here. For the legal status in Finland and Germany, see Registered association (Finland) and Registered association (Germany).

A nonprofit organization (NPO), also known as a nonbusiness entity,^[1] nonprofit institution,^[2] not-for-profit organization (NFPO),^[3] or simply a nonprofit,^[a] is a non-governmental legal entity that operates for a collective, public, or social benefit, rather than to generate profit for private owners. Nonprofit organisations are subject to a non-distribution constraint, meaning that any revenue exceeding expenses must be used to further the organization’s purpose. Depending on local laws, nonprofits may include charities, political organizations, schools, hospitals, business associations, churches, foundations, social clubs, and cooperatives. Some nonprofit entities obtain tax-exempt status and may also qualify to receive tax-deductible contributions; however, an organization can still be a nonprofit without having tax exemption.

Key aspects of nonprofit organisations are their ability to fulfill their mission with respect to accountability, integrity, trustworthiness, honesty, and openness to every person who has invested time, money, and faith into the organization. Nonprofit organizations are accountable to the donors, founders, volunteers, program recipients, and the public community. Theoretically, for a nonprofit that seeks to finance its operations through donations, public confidence is a factor in the amount of money that a nonprofit organization is able to raise. Presumably, the more a nonprofit focuses on their mission, the more public confidence they will gain. This may result in more money for the organization.^[1]

There is an important distinction in the US between non-profit and not-for-profit organizations (NFPOs); while an NFPO does not profit its owners, and money goes into running the organization, it is not required to operate for the public good. An example is a sports club, whose purpose is its members' enjoyment.^[4] The names used and precise regulations vary from one jurisdiction to another.

Fundraising

Nonprofit organizations are not driven by generating profit, but they must bring in enough income to pursue their social goals. Nonprofits are able to raise money in different ways. This includes income from donations from individual donors or foundations, sponsorship from corporations, government funding, programs, services, merchandise sales, and investments.^[5] With an increase in NPOs since 2010^[where?], some organizations have adopted competitive advantages to create revenue for themselves to remain financially stable. Donations from private individuals or organizations can change each year and government grants have diminished. With changes in funding from year to year, many nonprofit organizations have been moving toward increasing the diversity of their funding sources. For example, many nonprofits that have relied on government grants have started fundraising efforts to appeal to individual donors.^[6]

Access to subsidized and pro bono resources

Beyond direct financial donations, many nonprofit organizations rely on in-kind contributions of services and technology from the corporate sector. These programs are designed to provide NPOs with access to essential tools at little to no cost, enabling them to operate more efficiently and expand their reach.^[7]

Notable programs available to eligible nonprofits include:

• Google for Nonprofits: This suite provides access to premium Google services at no charge. Its most well-known component is the Google Ad Grants program, which offers eligible organizations up to $10,000 USD per month in in-kind search advertising to promote their mission and attract donors.^[8]
• Microsoft for Nonprofits: Microsoft provides grants and heavily discounted access to its cloud software, including Microsoft 365, Azure, and Dynamics 365. These resources help NPOs with data security, collaboration, and managing donor relationships.^[9]
• TechSoup: Acting as an intermediary, TechSoup provides a marketplace for nonprofits to access donated and discounted software and hardware from partners like Adobe, Intuit, and Cisco. It validates the nonprofit status of organizations to connect them with corporate philanthropy programs.^[10]
• Cloud Computing Credits: Major cloud providers offer promotional credits to help nonprofits with their IT infrastructure. For example, the AWS Nonprofit Credit Program provides credits for use on its cloud services, allowing organizations to host websites and analyze data without needing to invest in physical servers.^[11]

Management

Most nonprofits have staff that work for the organization, possibly using volunteers to perform the nonprofit's services under the direction of the paid staff. Nonprofits must be careful to balance the salaries paid to staff against the money paid to provide services to the nonprofit's beneficiaries. Organizations whose salary expenses are too high relative to their program expenses may face regulatory scrutiny.^[12]

Some have the misconception that nonprofit organizations may not make a profit. Although the goal of nonprofits is not specifically to maximize profits, they still have to operate as a fiscally responsible business. They must manage their income (grants, donations, and income from services) and expenses so as to remain a fiscally viable entity. Nonprofits have the responsibility of focusing on being professional and financially responsible, replacing self-interest and profit motive with mission motive.^[13]

Though nonprofits are managed differently from for-profit businesses, they have felt pressure to be more businesslike. To combat private and public business growth in the public service industry, some nonprofits have modeled their business management and mission, shifting their reason of existing to establish sustainability and growth.^[14]

Setting effective missions is a key for the successful management of nonprofit organizations.^[15] There are three important conditions for effective mission: opportunity, competence, and commitment.^[15]

One way of managing the sustainability of nonprofit organizations is to establish strong relations with donor groups.^[15] This requires a donor marketing strategy, something many nonprofits lack.^[15] Nonprofit organizations need to motivate staff, maintain and communicate a vision, set a strategic direction, manage change effectively, and provide a safe working environment for employees, volunteers, and visitors. These issues are comparable to those affecting a commercial business but factors which place a nonprofit organization at risk have been identified such as lack of direction or clear purpose, over-centralized management and decision-making, and lack of engagement with staff.^[16]

Functions

Some nonprofit organizations provide public goods that are undersupplied by government.^[17] NPOs have a wide diversity of structures and purposes. For legal classification, there are, nevertheless, some elements of importance:

• Management provisions
• Accountability and auditing provisions
• Provisory for the amendment of the statutes or articles of incorporation
• Provisions for the dissolution of the entity
• Tax statuses of corporate and private donors
• Tax status of the founders

Some of the above must be (in most jurisdictions in the US at least) expressed in the organization's charter of establishment or constitution. Others may be provided by the supervising authority at each particular jurisdiction.

While affiliations will not affect a legal status, they may be taken into consideration by legal proceedings as an indication of purpose. Most countries have laws that regulate the establishment and management of NPOs and that require compliance with corporate governance regimes. Most larger organizations are required to publish their financial reports detailing their income and expenditure publicly.

In many aspects, they are similar to corporate business entities though there are often significant differences. Both non-profit and for-profit corporate entities must have board members or trustees who owe the organization a fiduciary duty of loyalty and trust.^[18] A notable exception to this involves churches, which are often not required to disclose finances to anyone, including church members.^[19]

Formation and structure

In the United States, nonprofit organizations are formed by filing bylaws, articles of incorporation, or both in the state in which they expect to operate. The act of incorporation creates a legal entity enabling the organization to be treated as a distinct body (corporation) by law and to enter into business dealings, form contracts, and own property as individuals or for-profit corporations can.

Nonprofits can have members, but many do not. The nonprofit may also be a trust or association of members. The organization may be controlled by its members who elect the board of directors, board of governors, or board of trustees. A nonprofit may have a delegate structure to allow for the representation of groups or corporations as members. Alternatively, it may be a non-membership organization and the board of directors may elect its own successors.

The two major types of nonprofit organizations are membership and board-only. A membership organization elects the board and has regular meetings and the power to amend the bylaws. A board-only organization typically has a self-selected board and a membership whose powers are limited to those delegated to it by the board. A board-only organization's bylaws may even state that the organization does not have any membership, although the organization's literature may refer to its donors or service recipients as 'members'. Examples of such organizations are FairVote^[20][21] and the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws.^[22] The Model Nonprofit Corporation Act imposes many complexities and requirements on membership decision-making.^[23] Accordingly, many organizations, such as the Wikimedia Foundation,^[24] have formed board-only structures. The National Association of Parliamentarians has generated concerns about the implications of this trend for the future of openness, accountability, and understanding of public concerns in nonprofit organizations. Specifically, they note that nonprofit organizations, unlike business corporations, are not subject to market discipline for products and shareholder discipline of their capital; therefore, without membership control of major decisions such as the election of the board, there are few inherent safeguards against abuse.^[25][26] A rebuttal to this might be that as nonprofit organizations grow and seek larger donations, the degree of scrutiny increases, including expectations of audited financial statements.^[27] A further rebuttal might be that NPOs are constrained, by their choice of legal structure, from financial benefit as far as distribution of profit to members and directors is concerned.

Tax exemption

In many countries, nonprofits may apply for tax-exempt status so that the organization itself may be exempt from income tax and other taxes.

In the United States, to be exempt from federal income taxes, the organization must meet the requirements set forth in the Internal Revenue Code (IRC). Granting nonprofit status is done by the state, while granting tax-exempt designation (such as IRC 501(c)) is granted by the federal government via the IRS. This means that not all nonprofits are eligible to be tax-exempt.^[28] For example, employees of non-profit organizations pay taxes from their salaries, which they receive according to the laws of the country. NPOs use the model of a double bottom line in that furthering their cause is more important than making a profit, though both are needed to ensure the organization's sustainability.^[29][30]

An advantage of nonprofits registered in the UK is that they benefit from some reliefs and exemptions. Charities and nonprofits are exempt from Corporation Tax as well as the trustees being exempt from Income Tax.^[31] There may also be tax relief available for charitable giving, via Gift Aid, monetary donations, and legacies.^[32]

In United States

According to the National Center for Charitable Statistics (NCCS), there are more than 1.5 million nonprofit organizations registered in the United States, including public charities, private foundations, and other nonprofit organizations. According to the Giving USA 2025 report, which details philanthropic data from 2024, charitable giving in the United States reached an estimated $557.08 billion.^[33] In addition to financial support, volunteering remains a cornerstone of the sector. A 2025 report from AmeriCorps found that 56.7 million adults formally volunteered with an organization, contributing an estimated $145 billion in economic value to their communities.^[34]

In the United States, both nonprofit organizations and not-for-profit organizations may be tax-exempt. There are various types of nonprofit exemptions, such as 501(c)(3) organizations that are a religious, charitable, or educational-based organization that does not influence state and federal legislation, and 501(c)(7) organizations that are for pleasure, recreation, or another nonprofit purpose.^[35]

There is an important distinction in the US between non-profit and not-for-profit organizations (NFPOs). While an NFPO does not profit its owners, and money goes into running the organization, it is not required to operate for the public good. An example is a club whose purpose is its members' enjoyment.^[4] Other examples of NFPOs include credit unions, sports clubs, and advocacy groups. Nonprofit organizations provide services to the community such as aid and development programs, medical research, education, and health services. Some nonprofits are both member-serving and community-serving. Examples of these are homeowners associations, the American Red Cross, and Habitat for Humanity. These types of organizations serve their members specifically but also serve their communities with broader services and programs.

In India

India has one of the largest and most vibrant nonprofit sectors in the world. As of 2024, there were over 3.7 million non-governmental organizations (NGOs) registered on the NITI Aayog's DARPAN portal, though the number of active organizations is estimated to be lower.^[36]

Legal framework

NPOs in India are primarily registered under one of three legal acts:

• As a Trust under the Indian Trusts Act, 1882.
• As a Society under the Societies Registration Act, 1860.
• As a Section 8 Company under the Companies Act, 2013, which is designated for promoting commerce, art, science, sports, education, or other charitable objects.

For an organization to be tax-exempt and for its donors to receive tax benefits, it must obtain 12A and 80G certifications from the Income Tax Department.^[37]

Foreign funding and regulation

The regulation of foreign funding is a critical aspect of India's nonprofit landscape, governed by the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act, 2010 (FCRA). An FCRA registration is mandatory for any NPO that wishes to receive foreign donations. The act's stated purpose is to prevent the use of foreign funds for activities that could harm the national interest.^[38] In recent years, the Indian government has significantly tightened FCRA compliance, leading to the cancellation or non-renewal of licenses for thousands of NGOs, a move that has been both praised for increasing transparency and criticized by civil society groups for stifling their work.^[39]

Digital resources and challenges

Digital enablement programs, including Google Ad Grants, are available to eligible nonprofits in India. The validation of an organization's nonprofit status for these programs is handled by TechSoup's local partner, BigTech, which verifies their legal and charitable standing before they can access such benefits.^[40]

However, the sector has also faced significant scrutiny over issues of accountability and fraud. Investigations by bodies like the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) have uncovered cases of "shell NGOs" being used for money laundering and the misappropriation of government and foreign funds. This has led to increased regulatory oversight and calls for greater transparency in the sector's operations.^[41]

Digital strategy and online presence

When selecting a domain name, NPOs often use .org, the country code top-level domain of their respective country, or the .edu top-level domain (TLD), to differentiate themselves from more commercial entities, which typically use .com. While no restrictions are enforced on the registration of these domains, the .org TLD was traditionally intended for non-commercial organizations.^[42]

A functional and professional website serves as the central hub for an NPO's digital presence and is often a prerequisite for philanthropy programs like Google Ad Grants. Grant providers typically require that the site has a clear description of the organization's mission, up-to-date information, and the technical capability to allow for the embedding of tracking codes for analytics and donation measurement. Nonprofits may create their websites using accessible website builders or receive pro bono services from volunteer web developers.^[43]

Beyond the website, a modern nonprofit's digital strategy typically involves a range of tools to manage operations and engage with supporters. These include:

• Customer Relationship Management (CRM) systems: Specialized software like Salesforce Nonprofit Cloud or Blackbaud Raiser's Edge NXT is used to manage donor relationships, track contributions, and automate outreach.^[44]
• Online fundraising platforms: Services such as GoFundMe Charity, Classy, or Givebutter enable peer-to-peer fundraising campaigns, online auctions, and event management, which diversify revenue streams beyond traditional grants and mail-in donations.^[45]
• International validation and software access: Through its TechSoup Global Network, TechSoup acts as an international intermediary connecting nonprofits to corporate philanthropy programs. Its key function is validating the legal status of non-governmental organizations in over 200 countries and territories. This process often involves "equivalency determination," where TechSoup certifies that a non-U.S. organization is equivalent to a U.S. public charity, a common requirement for technology companies like Microsoft and Adobe to provide donated or discounted software globally.^[46]

In recent years, social media platforms have also become critical for outreach. Some nonprofit organizations have used microvlogging on platforms like TikTok to reach younger demographics like Generation Z, build community, and raise awareness for their cause.^[47] During COVID-19, TikTok was specifically used to connect rather than inform or fundraise, as its fast-paced, tailored For You page separates itself from other social media apps such as Facebook and X (formerly known as Twitter).^[48]

Alternative names

Some organizations offer new, positive-sounding alternative terminology to describe the sector. The term civil society organization (CSO) has been used by a growing number of organizations, including the Center for the Study of Global Governance.^[49] The term citizen sector organization (CSO) has also been advocated to describe the sector – as one of citizens, for citizens – by organizations including Ashoka: Innovators for the Public.^[50] Advocates argue that these terms describe the sector in its own terms, without relying on terminology used for the government or business sectors. However, use of terminology by a nonprofit of self-descriptive language that is not legally compliant risks confusing the public about nonprofit abilities, capabilities, and limitations.^[51]

Criticism

Founder's syndrome

Main article: Founder's syndrome

Founder's syndrome is an issue some organizations experience as they expand. Dynamic founders, who have a strong vision of how to operate the project, try to retain control of the organization, even as new employees or volunteers want to expand the project's scope or change policy.^[52]

Financial mismanagement

Financial mismanagement is a particular problem with NPOs because the employees are not accountable to anyone who has a direct stake in the organization. For example, an employee may start a new program without disclosing its complete liabilities. The employee may be rewarded for improving the NPO's reputation, making other employees happy, and attracting new donors. Liabilities promised on the full faith and credit of the organization but not recorded anywhere constitute accounting fraud. But even indirect liabilities negatively affect the financial sustainability of the NPO, and the NPO will have financial problems unless strict controls are instated.^[53] Some commenters have argued that the receipt of significant funding from large for-profit corporations can ultimately alter the NPO's functions.^[54] A frequent measure of an NPO's efficiency is its expense ratio (i.e. expenditures on things other than its programs, divided by its total expenditures). Tax exempt status of NPOs can result in some cases, such as mismanagement, in negative value for society.^[55]

Lower wages

There have been times of major labor shortages in the nonprofit sector, particularly for management positions.^[56][57] While many established NPOs are well-funded and comparative to their public sector competitors, many more are independent and must be creative with which incentives they use to attract and maintain people. The initial interest for many is the remuneration package, though many who have been questioned after leaving an NPO have reported that it was stressful work environments and the workload.^[58]

Public- and private-sector employment have, for the most part, been able to offer more to their employees than most nonprofit agencies throughout history. Either in the form of higher wages, more comprehensive benefit packages, or less tedious work, the public and private sectors have enjoyed an advantage over NPOs in attracting employees. Traditionally, the NPO has attracted mission-driven individuals who want to assist their chosen cause. Compounding the issue is that some NPOs do not operate in a manner similar to most businesses, or they operate only on a seasonal basis. This leads many young and driven employees to forego NPOs in favor of more stable employment. Today, however, nonprofit organizations are adopting methods used by their competitors and finding new means to retain their employees and attract the best of the newly minted workforce.^[59]

Some believe that most nonprofits will never be able to match the pay of the private sector^[60] and therefore should focus their attention on benefits packages, incentives, and implementing pleasurable work environments. For some, a good environment is more important than salary and pressure of work.^[57] Other incentives that could be implemented are generous vacation allowances or flexible work hours.^[61]

See also

• 501(c) organization
• Community organization
• Fundraising
• Master of Nonprofit Organizations
• Mutual organization
• Non-commercial activity
• Non-governmental organization
• Nonprofit organization laws by jurisdiction
• Non-profit organizations and access to public information
• Non-profit technology
• Public-benefit nonprofit corporation
• Supporting organization (charity)
• United States non-profit laws
• Voluntary sector

Notes

1. As a nominalized adjective