Sometimes truly revolutionary work requires the latitude that is often lacking in the business sector or in the confines of “publish-or-perish” university systems. An NPO can allow the freedom of space and thought that does not exist in other facilities.
Nonprofits can give major benefits to the researchers who work for them. There have always been scientists who are reluctant to work for a federal agency or a conventional university. Nonprofit foundations have traditionally helped to keep these highly skilled scientists employed and working at their most productive level.
Despite their non-profit designation, NPOs can also do major good for the business sector. For potential founders of nonprofit organizations, even if they are already involved in the business world, research done on making their work safer or more efficient is considered in the interest of the public good. Nonprofits also retain the right to change the course of their research if it does not appear to be scientifically beneficial. As long as the results of this research are publicly available, and barring any potential conflicts of interest, nonprofit work can ultimately benefit the business world, as well.
