Can Non-Profits Be Profitable Businesses?

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There continues to be confusion among non-profit organizations about what the term "not-for-profit" really means and how to best conduct the "business of the business." It definitely does not 123 profit code that an organization has a license to go broke! Technically speaking, there are several different categories of non-profit organizations, but the one most commonly referenced is the community-based charitable non-profit, or 501(c)(3). The key word in the 501(c)(3) designation is "charitable." This simply means that the organization is providing a service to the community that is considered to be worthwhile, within IRS guidelines, and therefore deemed tax-exempt. As I have mentioned many times previously, this exemption is a privilege and must be treated as such.

Also, remember that the organization must first be formed under the laws of whatever state it will operate. In other words, an organization (usually a non-stock corporation) is first incorporated and then it applies for a non-profit designation from the IRS. For the purposes of this article, we are talking about small to medium-sized community-based organizations in the Non-Profit Sector, not churches, hospitals, educational institutions, or government-funded agencies.

I am often asked if it is okay for a non-profit to make a profit. The answer is yes. I am also asked if a non-profit needs to be run like a business. The answer is yes again. But there are distinguishing features between the for-profit sector and the non-profit sector and it is important for the non-profit organization to understand the differences in order to remain in compliance with its IRS designation.

I work with a number of non-profits who are facing real financial difficulty, especially in the last few years, with the recession and the down economy. It is important to distinguish these uncontrollable economic setbacks from the philosophical and policy-driven directions that a non-profit has chosen within the guidelines of its mission. For example, if a rural community-based health clinic is not charging enough in fees to meet its expenses, then it must be subsidized by donations to offset the loss of revenue or, plain and simple, it will go broke. This should not be a difficult concept to grasp: if a non-profit does not have more money than expenses, then it is in financial trouble. Yes, just like a for-profit, a non-profit must cover its expenses. However, any push for a typical non-profit to greatly exceed its costs with revenues is likely to be perceived by its members as going against its charitable mission. Conversely, owners of a for-profit are extremely interested in maximizing their profits.