Key Characteristics of Nonprofit Organizations

• They receive significant amounts of resources from providers who do not expect either repayment or economic benefits proportionate to resources provided.

• There is neither a profit motive nor an expectation of earning net income, other than providing goods or services that fulfill a social need.
   
•  They do not have defined ownership interests that can be sold, transferred, or redeemed, or that convey entitlement to a share of a residual distribution of resources in the event of liquidation of the organization.