Difference Between Nonprofit and Charity (With Table)

There are a number of organizations and missionaries that help serve financially unstable communities and socially backward societies. These organizations are divided into two types. One is a nonprofit organization and the other is a charity house or home. Both the originations serve different purposes and benefits and have different characteristics.

Nonprofit vs Charity

The main difference between nonprofit and charity is that the former is a business that earns profit and money to help carry out the origination’s main goal or mission while on the other hand, the latter is a missionary that uses its earnings and funds to carry out activities to help the community that is financially and socially unstable.

A Nonprofit is a business project, firm, or organization that works for the betterment, growth, and progress of a number of communities and serves as a helping organization or group. Their main goal, motive, or aim is to help people in need. They are exempted from paying income taxes to the government.

Charity is referred to an organization that helps use its money and earnings in helping and serving people who are in need. It typically uses its funds in a number of activities that help serve the community. This institution helps the poor and needy and they are known for their kindness, generosity, and helpfulness towards the socially and financially unstable people.

Comparison Table Between Nonprofit and Charity

Parameters Of Comparison

Nonprofit

Charity

Nature

Nonprofits are not always related to charitable work.

All charitable works are nonprofit in nature.

Spending Requirements

It does not have any spending requirements.

A charity has spending requirements.

Activities

It engages in a number of activities other than charitable services or purposes.

It engages only in charitable services and purposes.

Tax Credits

Nonprofit institutes do not receive any tax credit.

Charity houses receive a number of tax credits.

Examples

Given below are a few examples of nonprofit organizations:
·    Greenpeace
·    SafeNight
·    WATERisLIFE

Listed below are a few examples of Charity homes:
·    World Vision
·    Save The Children
·    Wounded Warrior Project

What is Nonprofit?

A Nonprofit is a business that handles and tackles a number of problems in society. It is also referred to as a non-profit entity, nonprofit institute, and not-for-profit organization. These organizations use their profits for a social cause and not for their own business’s profit (which is what every other profit-seeking business firm does).

A number of donors, founders, people of a public community, volunteers, and program recipients invest their money, faith, and trust in these organizations. These organizations need to constantly work for public welfare in order to earn the people’s trust, faith, belief, and confidence. They are answerable to all the people who invest their time and money in their firm.

According to various reports and surveys, there are approximately more than 1.5 million nonprofit organizations in the United States. A report ranging between 2010 to 2014 indicates that more than 25.3% of Americans who were of the age groups 16 and above volunteered for working in nonprofit institutions. The number of these institutions is constantly rising.

Nonprofits are surrounded by a number of misconceptions. Some of these misconceptions are:

  • “Nonprofit organizations are run only by volunteers.”
  • “Nonprofit firms use their funds and donations for their personal benefits and progress.”
  • “Nonprofits businesses may not make a good amount of profit.”

What is Charity?

Charity houses are organizations that work for a social cause. They engage in social activities like educational services, religious works, and other services that benefit the poor and needy. These charity homes are also referred to as charitable institutions.

A charity’s financial stability is noted and measured by its financial figures like tax incomes, revenues from funds, revenues from donations, and revenues from investments. The charity’s financial measurements and information speak about the organization’s success and growth. More the charity’s financial stability more people start trusting the organization and more funds and donations are invested in the charity.

To be verified and trusted charity houses need to pass an exemption test. According to this test, charity organizations need to work for the public’s benefit. In many countries, this test is a mandatory test that has to be cleared and passed by charity institutes.

Charity houses are established in a number of countries like:

  • Australia
  • Canada
  • France
  • India
  • Hungary
  • Ireland
  • Nigeria
  • Poland
  • Singapore
  • United Kingdom
  • Ukraine
  • England
  • Scotland
  • Wales

In the United Kingdoms, charitable services are exempted and provided relief against taxes. They are provided exemption from a number of taxes like:

  • Inheritance tax
  • Capital gain tax
  • Stamp duty land tax
  • Income tax
  • Value-added tax

Main Differences Between Nonprofit and Charity

  1. A nonprofit is a business that focuses on many other activities other than charitable activities whereas charity homes focus only on charitable work.
  2. Nonprofits do not receive tax credits while on the other hand, the charity receives tax credits.
  3. Nonprofit firms do not have spending requirements whereas charity homes have spending requirements.
  4. Nonprofit services ensure to use all their funds and donations to help the needy while on the other hand, charity services work on their goal to help financially unstable people.
  5. One major example of nonprofit workshops is Social Tees Animal Rescue whereas a major example of Charity centers is Stephen Siller Tunnels To Towers Foundation.

Conclusion

Nonprofit organizations and Charity houses are quite different from each other and have unique services. They don’t have any adulterated intentions of earning and using money. Their earning are used for good causes and to help the underprivileged.

Nonprofits are firms that serve poor communities and also engage in charitable activities. They not just help in charity but also conduct various other socially beneficial projects. These organizations are free from paying taxes and don’t receive tax credits.

Charity is a social welfare home that works for charitable causes. They get a number of tax credits. Charity houses serve a number of benefits to the needy.

References

  1. https://books.google.com/books/about/Managing_the_Non_profit_Organization.html?id=TnPnuwCjb6QC#v=onepage&q&f=false
  2. https://www.journals.uchicago.edu/doi/abs/10.1086/292866?journalCode=et