Can my organization have a subsidiary? (2024)

Yes, a nonprofit organization may create a subsidiary with either a for-profit or a nonprofit structure. In some situations creating a subsidiary may make sense. If you think this is something your organization should do, please talk to an attorney familiar with both corporate and nonprofit law to fully understand the tax and legal implications.

A nonprofit parent may establish a for-profit subsidiary because, for example,its leaders wish to engage in unrelated business activities that don't directly pertain to the stated mission of the nonprofit. Otherwise, the nonprofit may be required to pay an Unrelated Business Income Tax, commonly referred to as UBIT. A nonprofit may also create a for-profit subsidiary in order to avoid possible risk and liability that might be directed at the original organization if the activities were carried out under its tax-exempt status.

In the case of nonprofit subsidiaries, these may be established in order to carry out activities that are significantly different from the original mission of the parent corporation.

When a for-profit organization chooses to create a nonprofit entity, the typical outcome is the creation of a corporate foundation, which is a totally separate, independent entity but which receives its principal endowment from the parent company. Corporate foundations typically award grants for charitable purposes to tax-exempt organizations with missions that the company supports. Learn more about corporate foundations

A for-profit corporation is less likely to create a nonprofit subsidiary that is not wholly independent from the parent. Legal conflicts of interest may arise if a 501(c)(3) tax exempt charity is associated with a for-profit parent because the charity must exist to benefit the greater public good, must be headed by an independent board of directors, and generally draw the bulk of their support from public sources. In order to stay on the straight and narrow with the IRS, an attorney familiar with both corporate and nonprofit law would have to be involved.

See our related Knowledge Base articles:

- How do I start a nonprofit organization?
- Can I convert my for-profit business into a nonprofit organization?
- What is earned income and how do I learn more about it?
- What is social enterprise?

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