Unlike for-profit businesses that exist to generate profits for their owners, nonprofit organizations pursue missions that address the needs of society. Nonprofit organizations serve in a variety of sectors, such as religious, education, health, social services, livelihoods, environmental concerns, and the arts.
Nonprofits do not have commercial owners and must rely on funds from contributions, grants, membership dues, program revenues, fundraising events, and investment income.
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NGO’s in India are typically constituted as Trusts, Societies, and Sec 8 Companies. The top management of NGO’s are Trustees, Governing Councils, the Management Committee or a Board of Directors. All of whom are in a sense Volunteers coming together to oversee the pursuit of the common mission and build the organization/institution.
There are several fundamental differences between for-profit and an NGO. These are broadly summarised in the table below.
| Sr.No | Criteria/Parameters | For Profits | Not for Profits |
| 1. | Mission | Market share and earn profits for the owners | Provide services for society |
| 2. | Organisation Method | Sell goods or services | To ensure that revenues exceed expenses so that the services can be maintained and expanded. |
| 3. | Owners | Shareholders, Partners, Proprietors’ | None |
| 4. | Taxability | Applicable | Usually tax exempt |
| 5. | Sources of Income | Sale of Goods, Service Incomes, Investment Income, Capital Gains | Donor Contributions, Grants, Program Funds, Membership Fees, Income from Events & Sponsorships, Investment Income. |
| 6. | Accounting Method | Mercantile & Accrual system | Usually Cash System. For Sec 8 Companies it is Mercantile & Accrual System |
| 7. | Reporting of Financial Statements | Balance Sheet
Profit & Loss Account Cash Flow Statement |
Balance Sheet
Income & Expenditure Statement Receipts & Payments Statement Functional Revenues and Expenditure Statement Program Statements |
| 8. | Classification of NGO Expenses | Program Expenses
Fund Raising Expenses General & Administration Expenses |
|
| 9. | Total Assets minus Liabilities reported as | Networth | Net Assets |
| 10. | Asset & Resource Allocation influenced by | The owners based on business strategy | Management Committee based on a combination of drivers viz mission, Donor & Grantors stipulations, and regulatory restrictions. Funds require to be classified under Restricted Funds, Unrestricted funds etc |
Thanks to NGO’s and those who donate, govern, participate and volunteer, they fill in so many gaps that Governments and for-profits are unable to fully address and make our societies so much more livable. However, to govern NGO’s the aforesaid differences need to be borne in mind in order to enable the discharge of their responsibilities of stewardship in their organisations. The above differences is to convey a simple delineation of the two types of motivations in an organisation and not meant to be a comprehensive study on the subject.
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