Nonprofit organizations report no single bottom line.
Since the objectives of organizations and the results they seek are so varied and value-laden, it is impossible to point to a simple calculus for performance measurement. Further, operating objectives and values that are important to one donor are not necessarily important to another. Donors might start by seeking answers to the following questions about the nonprofit organizations they are interested in supporting. Before donors go through the effort of understanding the operations of a nonprofit organization, they will first want to judge whether the organization engages in activities and approaches its work in a way that is consistent with their own values. They should review the organization's mission, objectives, types of beneficiaries, and employment and governance practices to make sure they are comfortable with its direction.