ABSTRACT
This chapter expands upon his discussion of the distinctions between nonprofit and for-profit organizations in “Management in the Non-profit Social Service Organization” to incorporate the ethical dimensions of these differences. In particular, he analyzes the effects of the blurring of sectoral lines on the ethical conduct and obligations of non-profit agencies. Moreover, faced with shrinking revenues, private non-profits have moved to increase their sponsorship of for-profit subsidiaries, which evaluate their success using criteria common to for-profit corporations. The community may choose to ignore the service needs of recipients as frequently as it seeks to provide for such needs. Those who shape community policy set ceilings on expenditures, exercising control over the quality and scope of human services. The products produced by non-profit human service organizations are peculiar commodities. They have many of the attributes of gifts. Typically, the motivations of those who provide the support for the production of these services are presumed to be altruistic in nature.
