From the arts to the environment, from politics to humanitarian aid, non-profit organizations do incredibly worthwhile and beneficial work in a wide-ranging assortment of fields. Non-profits, also called NPOs or not-for-profits, are organizations that work primarily in activities for private or public interest with no monetary or commercial gain.
The nonprofit organization classification allows an individual or a group of people (the minimum number of which is dictated by each state) to operate a business venture that will support a particular concern that benefits the public and that is charitably accessible to everyone in the community. Because NPOs have as their goal the benefit of the public, most nonprofits work to some extent in the educational sector. Some not-for-profit organizations, however, are focused solely on educational or research services.
The tax code for educational nonprofits is written to allow people to teach others personally, or through volunteers or organization employees, to explore ideas in a specific field of expertise, to foster innovation and to promote cultural and artistic opportunities without having to pay business, income or property tax. Operating a legal nonprofit means taking advantage of a program that ultimately serves the community. Tax code exists for nonprofits to maximize their positive potential, and as such, officially authorized nonprofits cannot be used to evade tax laws. NPOs cannot shelter money, peddle votes, pursue a political agenda, or enter into land speculation, among other prohibited activities. However, they can actively contribute to society.
