What distinguishes a nonprofit organization from a for-profit organization?

Nonprofit organizations are fundamentally distinguished from for-profit organizations by their primary objective, which is to serve the public good rather than to generate profit for owners or shareholders. Nonprofits are designed to address social, educational, charitable, or community-oriented goals. Their mission is often centered around providing services or support that benefit the broader community or specific groups in need, such as low-income individuals, the environment, or public health.

This focus on serving the public good means that any revenue generated by a nonprofit is typically reinvested into the organization's programs and services, rather than being distributed as profits. This structural difference is key to understanding the nonprofit model, as it drives how these organizations operate and what they prioritize.

The other options do not accurately capture the essence of a nonprofit's purpose, focusing instead on advertising, employment numbers, or product sales, which can be aspects of both nonprofit and for-profit entities.