Nonprofit

ˌnɒnˈprɒfɪt

adjectivemedium📊CommonFinance
2 meanings3 questions

Definitions

2 meanings
1

An organization or activity that does not aim to generate a financial profit. It typically focuses on a specific social cause or mission.

ˌnɒnˈprɒfɪt

adjectiveneutralmedium
Finance

Not conducted or maintained for the purpose of making a profit.

The charity is a nonprofit organization.

💡 Simply: Imagine a group that helps people or animals, like a food bank or animal shelter. They don't try to make money for themselves, but instead focus on their mission, which helps everyone. These are the nonprofit things.

👶 For kids: It means a group that helps people or animals and doesn't try to make money.

More Examples

2

She works for a nonprofit that supports environmental causes.

3

Many educational institutions are classified as nonprofit entities.

How It's Used

Business

"A nonprofit organization dedicated to providing disaster relief."

Social Work

"The nonprofit hospital offered free care."

2

An organization that exists for purposes other than generating profit for its owners or shareholders. They often address social or public needs.

ˌnɒnˈprɒfɪt

nounneutralmedium
Organization

An organization or group that does not have profit as a main goal.

She volunteers at a local nonprofit.

💡 Simply: It's a group dedicated to a cause, like helping people or animals. They are working to help the world, not just earn money.

👶 For kids: It's a group that helps people and doesn't care about making money.

More Examples

2

The conference was organized by a nonprofit dedicated to environmental conservation.

3

Donations are crucial for the survival of many nonprofits.

How It's Used

Community

"The city supports many nonprofits."

Politics

"Nonprofits play a significant role in influencing public policy."

Tip:A group dedicated to a cause, *not* to personal financial gain.

Synonyms & Antonyms

From 'non-' (not) + 'profit'. It emerged in the late 19th and early 20th centuries to describe organizations that do not aim to generate profit for their owners or shareholders.

The term's usage increased significantly in the late 20th and early 21st centuries, reflecting the growth of the non-profit sector.

Memory tip

Think of it as a group that works *without* the goal of making money for owners.

Word Origin

LanguageEnglish
Original meaning

"financial gain, advantage; non- means 'not'"

nonprofit organizationnonprofit sectornonprofit statuslocal nonprofitnational nonprofit

Common misspellings

non profitnon-profit

Usage

40%Spoken
60%Written