In a not-for-profit organisation, all income earned or received by the organisation is used in pursuing the organisationโs objectives and keeping it running. Hence, the organisation does not exist to make a profit.
Charities come to mind when we consider not-for-profit organisations. This is because a charity is a type of not-for-profit organisation whose activities are aimed at improving the lives in a community. However, there are other organisations which may not qualify as charities and are nevertheless not-for-profit organisations. These include community benefit societies, non-charitable housing associations, non-governmental organisations (NGOs) campaigning for changes in specific aspects of law, and non-charitable social enterprises which have social and commercial objectives, as well as not-for-profit universities. This sector plays a vital role in supporting communities at a local level, affecting policy, providing education, and producing lasting change.
Examples of the type of work you could be doing in such organisations are listed below:
- Fundraising
- Governance
- Research
- Project Management