A business whose goal is to provide a service rather than to make a profit, such as the American Red Cross, is called what?

• A. For-profit Organization
• B. Social Enterprise
• C. Non-profit Organization
• D. Charity Foundation

Answer: (C)

Non-profit orientation means a group exists to serve a social or community purpose rather than to earn profits for owners. Any surplus funds are reinvested into programs to advance that mission, not distributed to investors. The American Red Cross fits this because it funds disaster relief and humanitarian services through donations and grants, with no shareholders to pay profits to. This setup is typically eligible for tax-exempt status, reflecting its public-benefit role. In contrast, a for-profit organization seeks to generate earnings for owners. A social enterprise can be for-profit or nonprofit but emphasizes social impact, and its profits may be distributed to investors in some cases. A charity foundation mainly provides grants to others rather than delivering services directly. So the described organization is best classified as a non-profit organization.