It's a curious paradox: nonprofits claim their mission is public good, yet somehow their balance sheets tell a different story. Where exactly does all that capital flow when an organization is supposedly operating at zero profit? Turns out, the gap between mission statement and financial reality can be surprisingly wide. Tax exemptions, donor funding, operational margins—these mechanisms often allow nonprofits to accumulate substantial reserves while maintaining their nonprofit status. The question worth asking: is this financial architecture actually serving the cause, or has it become a way to sidestep traditional accountability?