A nonprofit organization or not-for-profit organization (NPO) is an organization that uses surplus revenues to achieve its goals rather than distributing them as profits or dividends. Nonprofit is not synonymous with free, nonprofits are permitted to generate surplus revenue, but they must be retained by the organization for its self-preservation, expansion, or plans. NPOs have controlling members or boards. Nonprofits also have paid staff including management, while others employ unpaid volunteers and even executives who work with or without compensation.