The major difference in ownership structure is that investor-owned firms have welldefined owners, who own stock in the business and exercise control over the firm through the proxy mechanism. Conversely, not-for-profit firms do not have stockholders. Control rests in a board of trustees comprised mostly of community leaders who have no direct economic interest in the firm. Because of this ownership structure difference, the goals of investor-owned and not-for-profit firms are quite different as well.