what are the types of nonprofits 
the irs has issued a long list of the type of nonprofit organizations that can qualify for 501 c status common examples include charitable organizations churches and religious organizations social advocacy groups and trade organizations 4the bottom lineorganizations that are formed strictly to help the public and not primarily to make a profit as is the case with most businesses are an important presence in society the u s government rewards these entities with a 501 c designation and tax exempt status because they reduce the burden on the state and improve the lives of the population we aren t just talking about charities here either the irs recognizes dozens of different types of nonprofit organizations as 501 c s including some credit unions and insurers 