To the outsider, the terms “nonprofit” and “not-for-profit” are often used interchangeably. Despite their similarity in name, they are distinct types of organizations, with different tax treatments, governance rules, and missions.
What is a nonprofit?
Anonprofit organizationis a business that receives tax exemption from the US Internal Revenue Service (IRS) if its mission and purpose is to advance a social cause and offer a public benefit. This can vary depending on the type of nonprofit in question, but generally speaking, qualifying organizations will have a religious, charitable, scientific, public-safety-oriented, educational, or animal-welfare-related focus. These organizations do not pay income tax, property taxes, or sales tax. Nonprofit organizations can include charitable foundations, most colleges and universities, houses of worship, and research institutions. Nonprofits are sometimes also referred to as non-stock corporations, or 501(c)(3) organizations—depending on the subsection of the tax code’s Section 501 that provides for their tax-free status.
Nonprofits are similar to for-profit businesses in that they should maximize their revenues; however, nonprofits are prohibited from distributing profits they generate toward anything other than advancing the organization. That means no profit distributions may be made to its owner(s). To ensure this requirement is met, nonprofits must make their financial and operating information and data public so that potential donors can see where their gift might go.
What is a not-for-profit?
Not-for-profit is a broad term for organizations that do not generate profit for their owners. All money generated by the not-for-profit business must be reinvested back into running it. Unlike nonprofits, not-for-profits arenotrequired to operate specifically for the benefit of the public or the advancement of a social cause. A not-for-profit can simply operate to serve the goals or special interests of its members. For example, recreational sports clubs can operate as a not-for-profit.
Also like nonprofits, not-for-profits must apply to qualify for tax-exempt status with the IRS. Money donated to the not-for-profit is not tax deductible.
Nonprofits vs. not-for-profits: similarities and differences
Nonprofits and not-for-profits both get tax-exempt status from the IRS. Their fundamental differences in scope and how each serves the broader community create differences in how they operate.
Purpose and mission
- How they’re similar:Neither nonprofits nor not-for-profits operate with the goal of generating profits for ownership.
- How they’re different:While not-for-profits can be formed and run solely to meet the goals of their members, nonprofits are driven by charitable purposes and must centrally seek to advance a social cause and to benefit the public good.
Liability
- How they’re different:Nonprofits can operate as a separate legal entity, like a traditional corporation. The IRS treats not-for-profits as if they enjoy no legal separation from the members involved, similar to ageneral partnership. However, some states, like New York and Florida, allow not-for-profits to incorporate as their own legal entities while retaining some state tax exemptions.
Tax treatment
- How they’re similar:Both nonprofits and not-for-profits are exempted from taxation by the IRS.
- How they’re different:Donors to nonprofits can deduct their gifts on tax returns; individuals who give money to not-for-profits may not. The nonprofits themselves are also subject to stricter tax scrutiny—they are required to report revenues, whereas not-for-profits do not.
Revenues
- How they’re different:Nonprofits run with the purpose of maximizing revenues for the causes they support; not-for-profits do not run with the goal of earning revenue and any money earned has to go back into the organization itself.
Employees
- How they’re different:While nonprofits may have paid employees on staff—even a president or CEO—not-for-profits may not hire paid staff.
Nonprofits and not-for-profits vs. for-profit entities
非营利组织和非盈利组织并不担心with generating profits for owners, unlike for-profit ventures. With that said, nonprofits—perhaps counterintuitively—are more similar to their for-profit counterparts than are not-for-profits. Both nonprofits and for-profit organizations seek to maximize revenues. Whereas for-profits may distribute revenues above the profit line to shareholders, nonprofits must recycle those earnings back into the organization. Not-for-profit organizations simply seek to generate enough money to keep the lights on.
Switching organizational types
Some organizations may initially organize as a nonprofit or not-for-profit, but later decide to convert to a for-profit venture, or vice versa. The process for properly doing so will vary depending on the order.
Nonprofit or not-for-profit to for-profit
To convert from a tax-exempt organization like a nonprofit or not-for-profit to a for-profit venture, you will need to notify the IRS in writing with a “statement of nonprofit conversion.” The statement must include:
- The reason for conversion.
- A certified copy of a liquidation plan, which explains what will happen to the nonprofit’s assets upon conversion. Do you plan to distribute them upon distribution? Explain who gets what. Are you rolling assets into the for-profit venture? Make sure to incorporate them into your estimate of the organization’s fair market value.
- A list of all asset recipients and the assets to be distributed.
- An estimate of the fair market value of the organization.
For-profit to nonprofit
Converting a for-profit venture into a nonprofit is a bit more complicated than the other way around. The IRS makes this process more complex to discourage for-profit businesses from converting simply to avoid paying taxes. To execute the conversion, you will be required to:
- Write a mission statement.
- Write and adopt bylaws through a vote of an appointed board of directors. You may choose to adapt your existing corporate bylaws to reflect your new nonprofit mission, or completely rewrite them. You may also choose to roll existing board members into the new nonprofit, or appoint new ones.
- File articles of incorporation with the state secretary of state office.
- Follow certain state-specific rules for conversion. In New York, for example, you will need to create a separate nonprofit organization, then merge it with your for-profit venture into a single, new nonprofit organization.
Final thoughts
Nonprofits and not-for-profits are alike at their core—they both eschew the pursuit of profit above all else. But they are, at their root, distinct in purpose. If you’re seeking to form an organization for a simple, recreational purpose, a not-for-profit may be right for you; but if your goals are more ambitious, centered on the advancement of a social cause and public benefit, a nonprofit may be a more suitable choice.