Question: Can an Organization Be Part Profit and Part Nonprofit?
Can a business have one part as nonprofit and the other
part as for-profit? My scenario: creative classes for children as nonprofit and a creative product line for profit. Both parts (teaching and sales) existing in the same space.
Answer: The IRS has very strict regulations for 501(c)(3) organizations...one being that the bulk of the activities must be for the "greater good."
Your best bet might be to just set up a nonprofit and then set up a gift shop or other retail operation that helps support the nonprofit. An example of this is a gift shop within a museum.
If you are out to make a living from your classes and sales, I would just leave the whole thing as a business. It is difficult to set up a nonprofit and fulfill all the regulations. I suggest you seek the counsel of a lawyer that has experience in nonprofit incorporation for definitive advice. Meanwhile, read our articles such as:
