adjective
Uncommon
nonprofit
Nonprofit (adjective) means not operated with the goal of making a financial profit. Example: “The nonprofit organization relies entirely on donations and grants.”
adjective
1
Not operated with the goal of making a financial profit.
"Gathering the application and my records , and summoning up as much courage as I could , I set out to complete the IRS application for a private, nonprofit agency."
— Katherine Martin, Women of Courage (1999)
"The nonprofit organization relies entirely on donations and grants."
"She works for a nonprofit that provides shelter to homeless families."
"Our village library is a nonprofit service run mostly by local volunteers."
How to use nonprofit
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishDescribing an organization that exists to serve a cause, not to make money for owners or shareholders.
UK vs US
American English favors "nonprofit"; British English more often uses "not-for-profit" or "charity."
Common pairings
nonprofit organization
nonprofit sector
work for a nonprofit
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The _____ organization relies entirely on donations and grants.
Etymology
From non- plus profit.
Synonyms
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not-for-profit
charitable
Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for nonprofit
See all rhymes for nonprofit →Frequently asked questions
What does “nonprofit” mean?
The word “nonprofit” means not operated with the goal of making a financial profit. In plain terms, describing an organization that exists to serve a cause, not to make money for owners or shareholders.
How do you use “nonprofit” in a sentence?
Here is “nonprofit” used in a sentence: “The nonprofit organization relies entirely on donations and grants.”
What part of speech is “nonprofit”?
“Nonprofit” is an adjective.
Is “nonprofit” a common word?
“Nonprofit” is an uncommon word in modern English.
What is the difference between a nonprofit and a regular business?
A nonprofit organization is not operated with the goal of making a financial profit, while a regular business exists primarily to generate profit for its owners or shareholders. Nonprofits typically reinvest any surplus funds back into their mission instead of distributing it as profit.
Can a nonprofit organization still make money?
A nonprofit can take in more money than it spends, but because it is nonprofit, that surplus is not distributed as profit to owners or investors. Instead, the funds are generally used to further the organization's stated purpose.
Is nonprofit written as one word or hyphenated?
Nonprofit is most commonly written as a single word, though 'non-profit' with a hyphen is also seen and both forms are widely understood. Style guides vary, so consistency within a single document matters more than which form is chosen.
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