Skip to content
Inc. 5000 Listed - 2022 & 2023!

Does nonprofit, 501(c)(3), and tax-exempt all mean the same thing?

Actually, no! These terms are often used interchangeably, but they all mean different things.

Nonprofit means the entity, usually a corporation, is organized for a nonprofit purpose.

501(c)(3) means a nonprofit organization that has been recognized by the IRS as being tax-exempt by virtue of its charitable programs.

Tax-exemption is the result of a nonprofit organization being recognized by the IRS as being organized for any purpose allowable under 501(c)(3) – 501(c)(27).

Back To Top