Which of the following financial practices is NOT characteristic of a not-for-profit organization?

Maximizing shareholder value is not characteristic of a not-for-profit organization because such organizations do not operate with the intent of generating profit for shareholders. Instead, their focus is typically on fulfilling their mission and serving the community. Not-for-profit organizations aim to reinvest any surplus revenues back into the organization to further their goals rather than distributing profits to owners or shareholders. This contrasts sharply with for-profit organizations, which prioritize maximizing profits and shareholder returns.

In addition to this, not-for-profit organizations often seek community service funding to support their missions, focus on minimizing operational costs to direct resources effectively, and prioritize their mission over profit, further emphasizing the difference between their operational models and those of for-profit entities.