Legal Definitions - Non-profit organizations

A non-profit organization is a group that is not focused on making money and does not distribute any of its income to its members, directors, or officers. Non-profit organizations can take many forms, such as corporations, partnerships, foundations, or associations. They are created for specific purposes that are allowed by law, such as religious, charitable, scientific, educational, or public safety goals.

Examples of non-profit organizations include:

• Churches
• Public schools
• Public charities
• Public clinics and hospitals
• Political organizations
• Legal aid societies
• Volunteer services organizations
• Labor unions
• Professional associations
• Research institutes
• Museums
• Some governmental agencies

Non-profit organizations are governed by state law and may be exempt from state taxes and employment programs. They may also have immunity from tort liability or limited tort liability. For federal tax purposes, non-profit organizations are exempt from taxation if they are organized and operated exclusively for specific purposes, such as religious, charitable, scientific, or educational goals.

The Supreme Court has issued several rulings related to non-profits, such as Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission and Advocate Health Care Network v. Stapleton. These rulings have expanded First Amendment protections for non-profit organizations with regard to political speech and eased certain ERISA requirements for relevant religious non-profits.

Overall, non-profit organizations are important for providing services and support to communities and individuals in need, and they operate under specific legal guidelines to ensure their goals are met without the focus on making a profit.