Nonprofit organization - freebase-schema/freebase GitHub Wiki

/organization/non_profit_organization

Proposed Definition:

A non-profit organization is a legally-constituted organization operating for either public benefit or to service its members without the motive of profit generation. Though profits may be made from its activities, it will not be distributed among employees or shareholders but rather used to achieve its goals and preserve its existence. Non-profit organizations vary in structures, purpose and legal definition depending on jurisdiction. They usually have humanitarian, scientific, religious, cultural, educational, recreational, public safety or environmental purposes. They do not have shareholders or owners but have controlling bodies or boards elected or appointed for administration and representation. They can employ their own staff just like business corporations and may be membership-based or have volunteers depending on their purpose and operations. They are not owned or managed by governments but they may be chartered by them or may work closely with them in order to achieve their non-profit goals. As long as an organization is acknowledged as non-profit in one jurisdiction, it can be typed as Non-profit regardless if it is not recognized as such in other jurisdictions.

Things that are Non-Profit Organization

• Non-governmental organizations ( NGO’s ) such as :

• Private Charitable Organizations and Foundations with philanthropic goals such as The Hunger Project and Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation

• Private Voluntary Aid and Humanitarian Agencies that may be working with government agencies in distributing aid. Fundings for these organizations may come from various and multiple sources such as governments, private individuals, other non-profit groups and businesses. Some examples are World Vision International, Oxfam, Habitat for Humanity and ActionAid

• Advocacy groups and civic leagues trying to influence governments on social, political and environmental issues but are not a part or hold no power in the government. Examples are Greenpeace, PETA and StWC

• Voluntary Associations or Service Clubs serving as Benefit Societies whose beneficiaries may be members or non-members.

• Fraternities ( or Sororities) such as Rotary International , Knights of Columbus and Freemasonry

  • Collegiate fraternities or sororities are co-typed as Fraternity/Sorority such as Alpha Phi Omega

• Trade Unions such as Canadian Union of Public Employees and Swedish Municipal Workers' Union

  • Co-typed with Trade union

• Trade associations such as Screen Actors Guild, Canadian Federation of Independent Business and European Policy Centre

• Professional associations such as National Rural Health Association and Australian Centre for Psychoanalysis

• Learned societies such as Saudi Geographical Society and Illuminating Engineering Society of North America

• Community associations such as homeowners associations and neighborhood watch

• Community based organizations such as Karen Human Rights Groupand Operation Better Block (East Pittsburgh, PA)

• Credit Unions such as San Diego County Credit Union

• Public-benefit nonprofit corporations chartered by state governments such KZFR and Portland Streetcar Incorporated

• Religious corporations such as Catholic Health Initiatives and Religious Technology Center

• Churches such as Roman Catholic Church and Episcopal Church

Things that are NOT Non-Profit Organization

• Business Operations and all profit motivated organizations involved in the trade of goods and services such as Google , Pfizer and CBS Corporation.

• Governments such as Federal government of the United States, Government of Australia and Government of India

• Government-owned corporations run and funded by the government such as Korea Post, National Bank of Belize and Pertamina.

• Government Agencies such as Spain's Ministry of Education, Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency and Unidad de Inteligencia Financiera