Is MUFON Really Non-profit?

[starkiller]

I have a question. I haven't had time to research it yet so I am just going to throw it out and see if anybody knows the answer.

I read a recent editorial written by Clifford Clift in the MUFON Journal, and in it he says that all of the "members" are really nothing more than journal subscribers. According to him we don't have any other benefits than that. So what that means is that each "member" is paying $50.00 a year for a magazine, and most of that money is going to MUFON as a profit. So how can MUFON claim to be a non-profit organization if they are making a profit by selling their magazine?

Anybody want to share their thoughts?

[kwnart]

Basically, a non-profit is not allowed to take an extra money and spread it out to individuals and stake holders but can only use it for the organization to stay alive. Sometimes, they are not allowed to carry over money from one fiscal year to the next, but that depends on the classification and charter.

So if for example MUFON brings in $500,000 a year in membership dues and other sources. Day to day expenses to keep the organization going, the Journal and other stuff may cost $300,000 a year. The remaining $200,000 needs to be invested back into the organization, like website upgrades, training, new projects, etc. Where a for profit would split that money out to share holders and/or given out as bonuses.

So MUFON may bring in a surplus (not profit) of money it ultimately has to go back into the organization.

[starkiller]

Thanks for the explanation, kwnart. I suppose I could have put forth a little effort and looked it up myself.

[ramrod]

What about all of the bribes they have been taking from Bigelow? Are those nonprofit also?

[starkiller]

If there are bribes I would assume they are not being reported to anybody. I'm not sure but I think nonprofit organizations have to make public where their money comes from, so any bribes from Bigelow would be out there for every body to see. Of course, I'm not an accountant so I could be wrong.