Nonprofits & their goals

Even though a non-profit organization has many differences from a state entity or a business corporation, for example, there are still some basic things that all the organizations have in common. The main common feature is that there is a reason why they were created. In other words – there is always a goal for each business, state, or non-profit organization to exist. Let’s have a fast overview of the goals nonprofits usually appear. Understanding the main goal, it will be easier for each organization to formulate its mission properly and understand how to promote or at least run that organization. 

Basically, there can be dozens of reasons why one or another nonprofit is created. Moreover, there can be multiple purposes for one organization. There is though one thing in common for all nonprofits – they have nothing to do with business and both organizers, workers, and volunteers do not intend to earn something from their work. Yes, it is true that nonprofits need money to run their activities, pay their expenses, support their workers and volunteers, and so on, but those are operational expenses they need to help others benefit from their existence and activities and not to bring profit to anybody, including their donors. Of course employees, in case a nonprofit has them, receive payments – this is allowed. 

Why Be Nonprofit?

Not all socially oriented organizations are registered as nonprofits. Nonprofits though have certain benefits. So in case you need those benefits then you might consider registering your initiative as a non-profit organization. The first financial benefit is taxes – some taxes are not implied on the nonprofits. For example, a museum will not need to pay taxes on its premises if registered as a nonprofit. The second financial benefit is again taxes! But those are the taxes that aren’t applied to the donations a nonprofit receives – it’s a huge advantage for the donors. 

4 types of nonprofits

All non-profit organizations can be actually divided into 4 major types. Of course, each organization is unique if not in its goal but at least in the approach used. 

Religious organizations

When we talk about faith and religion, we often mean churches of different confessions, religious groups, and even religious youth centers, and schools – all of which can be qualified as nonprofits. Basically, the purpose of their existence is often to promote their faith, educate their followers, and get new ones – converts. They often organize and run different religious events, and ceremonies for new and existing members, counsel people in trouble, and offer different kinds of support, including financial and psychological ones. 

Cultural organizations

Of course, we are not talking about Hollywood which is obviously a profit-oriented organization as well as hundreds or rather thousands of other theaters all over the world. The culture and art-oriented nonprofits, especially local ones, are often registered and positioned as non-profitable organizations. Moreover, how would you qualify American museums? Will you be surprised to learn that they operate actually as nonprofits? There are many cultural and artistic communities and organizations, sponsored only by donors – receiving public donations and running their own projects and ventures (for example, museum gift shops or coffee places). 

Educational organizations

As you can assume from the name they are basically oriented toward providing or organizing educational activities. For example, it can be a youth center, trying to provide youth chances and opportunities to study foreign languages, internet technologies, or business basics. Moreover, when consulting a non-profit digital agency, for example, you can find out that some of their workers have actually been members of those organizations or cooperate with them as volunteers. 

Chambers of Commerce 

Multiple Boards, as well as chambers of commerce, are concentrated on the promotion, development, and improvement of the business condition and environment in their communities, cities, regions, and even countries. It’s a kind of entrepreneur-oriented approach they use but not to benefit financially themselves – to let their members learn and be able to benefit financially and improve the business condition generally.