OpenAI Nonprofit Structure

The cluster discusses the relationship between non-profit and for-profit entities, focusing on OpenAI's model where the nonprofit owns and controls the for-profit subsidiary, clarifying that nonprofits can generate and retain profits without distributing them to shareholders.

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Keywords

e.g ZenPsycho IKEA PBC ANBI AND FT MacArthur ROI wikipedia.org profit non profit nonprofit non shareholders profits entity non profits make profit mission

Sample Comments

prepend Mar 1, 2024 View on HN

The nonprofit owns the for profit.

ufocia Mar 15, 2024 View on HN

Non-profit doesn't mean no profit.

twojobsoneboss Mar 22, 2024 View on HN

They are a company who’s out to make money and not a non profit, no?

nodata Aug 4, 2013 View on HN

Non-profit doesn't mean they don't make a profit.

nmfisher Nov 22, 2023 View on HN

This is exactly correct and so many people just don’t get it. The non-profit owns the for-profit, not the other way around. When the goals of the for-profit clash with the goals of the non-profit, the for-profit has to yield.

dboreham Nov 21, 2023 View on HN

I know everyone nods when this is said, but is a non-profit owning a for profit entity actually a thing? Isn't the profit motive a thing that taints the transitive closure?

crop_rotation Nov 18, 2023 View on HN

The non profit is the majority owner of the for profit, and there is no investor pressure here to make billions.

riazrizvi May 7, 2023 View on HN

I thought non-profits were allowed to make money?

caddemon Nov 22, 2023 View on HN

The problem is moreso trying to maximize profit after claiming to be a nonprofit. Profit can be a good driving force but it is not perfect. We have nonprofits for a reason, and it is shameful to take advantage of this if you are not functionally a nonprofit. There would be nothing wrong with OpenAI trying to maximize profits if they were a typical company.

sharts Nov 6, 2025 View on HN

Just because an org is non-profit doesn't mean that it isn't out for itself.