What makes a nonprofit a nonprofit? This topic has been all over the news lately, most recently in the New York Times. How does an organization demonstrate to the community, and policymakers, that they are provided a public good?

So what exactly is the difference between for-profit and not-for-profit providers? Well, here at AAHSA we see the difference in several areas:

• Mission: Not-for-profit providers meet the needs of older adults because they adapt to the changing aging services landscape while remaining committed to their missions.

• Governance: Community-based volunteers, not corporate investors, govern not-for-profit organizations. These individuals commit to ensuring that an organization remains true to its mission, responds to local needs and serves as an effective steward of its resources.

• Quality: Not-for-profit aging-services organizations consistently use their resources to provide more hands-on care and develop new and creative ways to meet the needs of the people they serve and their families. These approaches help aging-services providers set the standard for quality in the field.

• Resources: Not-for-profit organizations reinvest all resources into their missions. Resources are used not to benefit stockholders or increase company value, but to increase staffing, improve facilities, enhance services, and most importantly, ensure consumer and staff satisfaction.

• Services: Not-for-profit organizations are committed to innovation and continuous quality improvement. These organizations tailor their housing, healthcare and community services to meet individual needs, not profit goals.

• Ethics: Not-for-profit aging-services providers have a moral responsibility as caregivers, employers and members of the community. More specifically, the AAHSA mission, vision and ideals suggest that its members have at least a tri-fold responsibility: to provide high-quality service to those in need; meaningful work for staff, board members and volunteers; and an ethical workplace for employees.

Click here to read more about the not-for-profit difference.

There are many useful resources available on the Quality First Web site to help your organization display all it does for the community. How does your organization spread the word about its good work?