TED'S TAKE: DON'T MISTAKE NOT-FOR-PROFIT FOR NONPARTISAN

Many people assume that because an organization is not-for-profit (NFP), it is  nonpartisan, objective or opinion neutral. Nothing is farther from reality. Whenever you see an organization emphasizing its NFP status, put your guard up and scrutinize what it says.

Some NFPs openly advocate for political or policy positions, and that’s OK if they are transparent about it. But some portray themselves as an objective sources of analysis, information, or data while pushing a particular agenda. It’s up to us, the recipients of that information, to judge its accuracy, objectivity, and credibility.

Simply being an NFP doesn’t make an organization right, accurate, or objective, even though some organizations use the NFP label to imply that it does.

If an NFP is a membership association, it typically exists to advocate for the interests and viewpoints of its members. Whether you agree with those positions or not, the perspective should be visible. The organization has likely disclosed where it stands.

Other NFPs portray themselves as neutral providers of data or analysis. In reality, they may be advocating a particular agenda or point of view while operating under the guise of objectivity. By emphasizing their NFP status, they aim to signal credibility; imply we should trust and listen to them. This is where we need to be careful.  NFP status is not proof of objectivity – it is often part of a messaging strategy. All NFPs are not what they appear or portray.

The takeaway is simple: don’t assume an organization is credible, objective, or unbiased simply because it is a not-for-profit. Whenever you see an organization emphasizing its NFP status, treat it as a reason to read more carefully, not less.