nonprofit vs. not-for-profit

nonprofit vs. not-for-profit: What’s the difference?

Nonprofit and not-for-profit are both used in reference to organizations that are not for-profit businesses—they exist for reasons other than moneymaking. The terms are sometimes used interchangeably in casual use, but in the U.S., there’s a legal distinction: nonprofits (big charities, for example) are considered to operate for the public good —and they are tax-exempt. Not-for-profit organizations (such as recreational clubs) primarily exist for the benefit of their members and may or may not be tax-exempt.