A quick word on "Non-Profit"

[sanantone]

The mistake I see more often is that people don't understand the difference between taking in revenues and being for-profit, even when the organization is just breaking even. They think that anyone getting paid a salary makes an organization for-profit. They think that charging tuition to pay for operating costs makes an organization for-profit. They also don't understand the difference between having excess revenues (profits) and being for-profit. The word is for-profit, not we-make-a-profit. For-profit explains (at least it's supposed to explain) the organization's mission.

Do people expect faculty and staff to live off of prayers? Do people expect organizations to wish their buildings into existence? Do people expect private and public utility companies to give non-profit organizations free electricity, gas, and water? It's not going to happen, but there are a lot of people out there who think that every single organization is for-profit just because it accepts donations or charges for a service or product.