Parvati Magazine December 2014/January 2015: Consequence/Beginnings | Page 50

BUSINESS

WHY START A NOT-FOR-PROFIT

F

or years, the Canadian musical artist Parvati has been operating with social and environmental conscience. Her creative work has been inspired by activist initiatives such
as her North Pole journey to raise awareness of the melting polar ice, her tsunami peace
prayer, a reforestation campaign, and ongoing support for the international charity Embracing the World.
In response to the proposed spring 2015 seismic bombing by big oil companies in the Arctic Ocean, Parvati and a group of similarly dedicated friends worked collectively to create www.parvati.org. They decided to name this new activist company Parvati, not after
any one individual, but in reference to the meaning of the name: an awakened Earth.
Last week, parvati.org received official incorporation status as a not-for-profit organization.
Why create a not-for-profit organization? What is the difference between a not for profit
and a for profit company? Th