A public benefit corporation is usually a government-owned corporation that performs a specific, narrow function for the public good. More broadly, a public benefit corporation could be any corporation that exists for a charitable purpose, though these are generally called non-profit corporations if they aren't founded by a government. Some jurisdictions (the U.S. State of Maine, for instance) might define a public benefit corporation broadly. A corporation is a legal entity (distinct from a natural person) that often has similar rights in law to those of a Civil law systems may refer to corporations as moral persons; they may also go by the name AS (anonymous society) or something similar, depending on language (see below). ... A non-profit organization (sometimes abbreviated to not-for-profit, non-profit or NPO) is an organization whose primary objective is to support some issue or matter of private interest or public concern for non-commercial purposes. ... A U.S. state is any one of the fifty states (four of which officially favor the term commonwealth) which, together with the District of Columbia and Palmyra Atoll (an uninhabited incorporated unorganized territory), form the United States of America. ... State nickname: The Pine Tree State Official languages None Capital Augusta Largest city Portland Governor John Baldacci (D) Senators Olympia Snowe (R) Susan Collins (R) Area  - Total  - % water Ranked 39th 86,542 km² 13. ...

They are often found in common law jurisdictions. Although many associate corporations, sometimes negatively, with private business, corporations in theory began as means to serve public purposes. Corporate theory has its roots in primarily government and religious institutions, where the institution itself is identifiable independently of its membership's mortality. For example, if the Pope dies, the Catholic Church continues to exist, just as it continues to exist as generations pass on and get replaced by new members. This article concerns the common-law legal system, as contrasted with the civil law legal system; for other meanings of the term, within the field of law, see common law (disambiguation). ... The Pope (from Greek: pappas, father; from Latin: papa, Papa, father) is Chris Judd of WCE as Brownlow Medalist of 2004 and head of the Australian Rules Football. ... A church building (or simply church) is a building used in Christian worship. ...

Public benefit corporations are most often created by statute. In many Commonwealth countries, public benefit corporations continue to receive charters from the British monarchy. In the United States, they receive their charters from states or the federal government. A statute is a formal, written law of a country or state, written and enacted by its legislative authority, perhaps to then be ratified by the highest executive in the government, and finally published. ... The Commonwealth of Nations, usually known as The Commonwealth, is an association of independent sovereign states, almost all of which are former territories of the British Empire. ... Look up Country in Wiktionary, the free dictionary In political geography and international politics a country is a geographical territory. ...

History

Public benefit corporations likely have their direct roots in mercantile capitalism. In the early days of European exploration and colonization, a monarch would sometimes grant a charter to an entity allowing it to incorporate and make potentially risky investments. While certainly not public benefit corporations by todays standards, entities such as the Massachusetts Bay Company, Hudson Bay Company, and the Dutch East India Company arguably are early prototypes of publically-chartered (in this case, crown-chartered) corporations successfully making risky investments. A painting of a French seaport from 1638, at the height of mercantilism. ... The early modern period is a term used by historians to refer to the period in Western Europe and its first colonies, between the Middle Ages and modern society. ... A satellite composite image of Europe // Etymology Picture of Europa, carried away by bull-shaped Zeus. ... It has been suggested that this article or section be merged with Colonialism. ... A monarch (see sovereign) is a type of ruler or head of state. ... A charter is a document bestowing certain rights on a town, city, university or institution; sometimes used as a loan of money. ... The Massachusetts Bay Colony (sometimes called by the name Massachusetts Bay Company, for the institution that founded it) was the direct predecessor of the Province of Massachusetts Bay and then the state of Massachusetts. ... The Hudsons Bay Company building in Montreal The Hudsons Bay Company (HBC) is the oldest corporation in Canada and is one of the oldest in the world still in existence. ... Dutch colonial possessions, with the Dutch East India Company possessions marked in a paler green, surrounding the Indian Ocean plus Saint Helena in the mid-Atlantic. ...

Canada

VIA Rail in Canada is an independent crown corporation offering intercity passenger rail services in Canada. The Canadian Broadcasting Corporation is another example. VIA Rail Canada (also referred to as VIA Rail and VIA; pronounced vee-ah) is an independent Crown corporation offering intercity passenger rail services in Canada. ... In Commonwealth countries a Crown corporation is a state-controlled company or enterprise (a public corporation). ... The Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, commonly known by the abbreviation CBC, is Canadas government-owned radio and television broadcaster. ...

The Province of Ontario shares two international public benefit corporations with U.S. state of New York: Canada consists of ten provinces and three territories. ... Motto: Ut Incepit Fidelis Sic Permanet (Latin: Loyal she began, loyal she remains) Official languages English, French (in some areas) Capital Toronto Largest city Toronto Lieutenant-Governor of Ontario James K. Bartleman Premier Dalton McGuinty (Liberal) Parliamentary representation  - House seat  - Senate seats 106 24 Area  - Total  - % water Ranked 4th 1...

• Buffalo and Fort Erie Public Bridge Authority [1] (also known as the Peace Bridge Authority)–international authority that maintains the Peace Bridge link between Buffalo, New York, and Fort Erie, Ontario.
• Niagara Falls Bridge Commission [2]–international public authority controlling various bridges in the Niagara Falls. The Board of Commissioners has eight members, four appointed by the Ontario Premier and four by the Governor of New York State.

The Buffalo and Fort Erie Public Bridge Authority (also known as the Peace Bridge Authority) is a public benefit corporation that enforces the Peace Bridge. ... The Peace Bridge is an arch bridge that consists of five arched spans over the Niagara River and a Parker through-truss which spans the Black Rock Canal on the American side of the river. ... Nickname: City of Good Neighbors Motto: {{{motto}}} Official website: Buffalo, NY Location Location of Buffalo in New York State Government County Erie County Mayor Anthony M. Masiello Geographical characteristics Area 136. ... State nickname: The Empire State Official languages English Capital Albany Largest city New York City Governor George Pataki (R) Senators Charles Schumer (D) Hillary Clinton (D) Area  - Total  - % water Ranked 27th 141,205 km² 13. ... Location of Fort Erie in the Niagara Region Fort Erie (2001 population 28,143) is a town on the Niagara River in Niagara Region, Ontario, Canada. ... Motto: Ut Incepit Fidelis Sic Permanet (Latin: Loyal she began, loyal she remains) Official languages English, French (in some areas) Capital Toronto Largest city Toronto Lieutenant-Governor of Ontario James K. Bartleman Premier Dalton McGuinty (Liberal) Parliamentary representation  - House seat  - Senate seats 106 24 Area  - Total  - % water Ranked 4th 1... The Niagara Falls Bridge Commission international public authority controlling various bridges between Ontario in Canada and New York in the United States. ... The Horseshoe Falls, one of the three Niagara Falls. ...

United Kingdom

The BBC is a public benefit crown corporation in the United Kingdom. Many universities have charters going back centuries, and these too are in theory corporations. Corporate logo of the British Broadcasting Corporation The British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) is the national public service broadcaster of the United Kingdom (see British television). ...

United States

The original 13 colonies of the United States received royal charters (in the case of Rhode Island, the royal charter acted as the state's constitution for decades after the American Revolution). These charters allowed the colonies a certain degree of self-rule, even though their governments were ultimately answerable to the British monarchy. After the American Revolution, each colony in theory was an independent state (though in practice they interoperated as a single state). Each state had the power to grant charters to municipalities and private entities, a power they retain to this day due under the principles of American federalism. State nickname: The Ocean State, Little Rhody Official languages None Capital Providence Largest city Providence Governor Donald Carcieri (R) Senators Jack Reed (D) Lincoln Chafee (R) Area  - Total  - % water Ranked 50th 4,005 km² 32. ... The American Revolution is the series of events, ideas, and changes that resulted in the political separation of thirteen colonies in North America from the British Empire and the creation of the United States of America. ... This article describes the British monarchy from the perspective of the United Kingdom. ... The American Revolution is the series of events, ideas, and changes that resulted in the political separation of thirteen colonies in North America from the British Empire and the creation of the United States of America. ... A state is an organized political community occupying a definite territory, having an organized government, and possessing internal and external sovereignty. ... Federalism is the idea of a group or body of members that are bound together (latin: foedus, covenant) with a governing representative head. ...

Private corporations were not so common in the early United States as they are today; corporations were often founded to create a public purpose, such as the maintenance of a toll bridge. Today, public benefit corporations are popular in some states in the United States, perhaps especially New York State. Many interstate compacts in the United States are public benefit corporations. State nickname: Empire State Other U.S. States Capital Albany Largest city New York Governor George Pataki Official languages None Area 141,205 km² (27th)  - Land 122,409 km²  - Water 18,795 km² (13. ... An interstate compact is an agreement between two or more U.S. states. ...

Federal

Amtrak, which received its charter from the United States federal government, could also be considered a public benefit corporation. Another example of a public benefit corporation chartered by the federal government could be the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. Amtrak, is the brand name of the intercity passenger train system created on May 1, 1971 in the United States. ... The Corporation for Public Broadcastings logo The Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) is a private non-profit corporation which is chartered and funded by the United States Federal Government to promote public broadcasting. ...

The United States Post Office is similarly a public benefit corporation. A USPS Truck at Night A U.S. Post Office sign The United States Postal Service (USPS) is the United States government organization responsible for providing postal service in the United States and is generally referred to as the post office. ...

Delaware

The Delaware River and Bay Authority controls the Delaware Memorial Bridge between Delaware and New Jersey, and is a bi-state agency. The Delaware River and Bay Authority or DRBA is a bi-state government agency of the State of New Jersey and the State of Delaware established by interstate compact in 1961. ... The Delaware Memorial Bridge, from the river. ...

Illinois

The Bi-State Development Agency is a bi-state agency managing public transportation between southern Illinois and Missouri. It serves the St. Louis metropolitan area. MetroLink system The Bi-State Development Agency is the formal name of an interstate compact formed by Missouri and Illinois in 1949. ... State nickname: Land of Lincoln, The Prairie State Other U.S. States Capital Springfield Largest city Chicago Governor Rod Blagojevich (D) Senators Richard Durbin (D) Barack Obama (D) Official language(s) English Area 149,998 km² (25th)  - Land 143,968 km²  - Water 6,030 km² (4. ... State nickname: The Show Me State Official languages English Capital Jefferson City Largest city Kansas City (largest metropolitan area is Saint Louis) Governor Matt Blunt (R) Senators Kit Bond (R) Jim Talent (R) Area  - Total  - % water Ranked 21st 69,709 mi²; 180,693 km² 1. ... The Gateway Arch, shown here behind the Old Courthouse, is the most recognizable part of the St. ...

Maine

In the state of Maine, public benefit corporations [3]: State nickname: The Pine Tree State Official languages None Capital Augusta Largest city Portland Governor John Baldacci (D) Senators Olympia Snowe (R) Susan Collins (R) Area  - Total  - % water Ranked 39th 86,542 km² 13. ...

• are designated as a public benefit corporation by statute; or
• are tax exempt under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code; or
• are organized for a public or charitable purpose and is required to distribute assets to a similar tax exempt organization upon dissolution; or
• have elected to be a public benefit corporation.

Missouri

See Bi-State Development Agency. MetroLink system The Bi-State Development Agency is the formal name of an interstate compact formed by Missouri and Illinois in 1949. ...

New Jersey

The New Jersey Turnpike Authority is a public benefit corporation in New Jersey. A toll ticket for the New Jersey Turnpike. ... State nickname: The Garden State Official languages None defined Capital Trenton Largest city Newark Governor Richard Codey (D) Acting, Outgoing Jon Corzine (D) (Governor-Elect) Senators Jon Corzine (D) (Outgoing) Bob Menendez (D) (named as Corzines replacement) Frank Lautenberg (D) Area  - Total  - % water Ranked 47th 22,608 km² 14. ...

The Delaware River and Bay Authority controls the Delaware Memorial Bridge between Delaware and New Jersey, and is a bi-state agency. The Delaware River Port Authority is a bi-state agency of New Jersey and Pennsylvania. The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey is a bi-state agency shared with New York. The Delaware River and Bay Authority or DRBA is a bi-state government agency of the State of New Jersey and the State of Delaware established by interstate compact in 1961. ... The Delaware Memorial Bridge, from the river. ... The Delaware River Port Authority or DRPA is a bi-state government agency of the State of New Jersey and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. ... State nickname: The Keystone State Official languages None Capital Harrisburg Largest city Philadelphia Governor Ed Rendell (D) Senators Arlen Specter (R) Rick Santorum (R) Area  - Total  - % water Ranked 33rd 119,283 km² 2. ... The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey is a bi-state agency (operated pursuant to an interstate compact) that runs most of the regional transportation infrastructure including the bridges, tunnels, airports and seaports within the New York-New Jersey Port District. ...

New York

Among the major public benefit corporations in New York State, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey (actually a bi-state agency) and the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, which manages most of the public transportation to, in, and around New York City, might be the most famous. New York has hundreds of lesser-known public benefit corporations. In the wake of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, the Lower Manhattan Development Corporation has been receiving a lot of press. New York State public benefit corporations and authorities operate like quasi-private corporations, generally with boards appointed by elected officials. ... The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey is a bi-state agency (operated pursuant to an interstate compact) that runs most of the regional transportation infrastructure including the bridges, tunnels, airports and seaports within the New York-New Jersey Port District. ... State nickname: The Garden State Official languages None defined Capital Trenton Largest city Newark Governor Richard Codey (D) Acting, Outgoing Jon Corzine (D) (Governor-Elect) Senators Jon Corzine (D) (Outgoing) Bob Menendez (D) (named as Corzines replacement) Frank Lautenberg (D) Area  - Total  - % water Ranked 47th 22,608 km² 14. ... Metropolitan Transportation Authority is the name of a governmental or quasi-governmental body in each of several areas: Metropolitan Transit Authority of Boston Massachusetts, now the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority — Boston, Massachusetts Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority — Los Angeles County, California Metropolitan Transportation Authority — New York metropolitan area See... The city is at the center of international finance, politics, entertainment, and culture, and is one of the worlds major global cities (along with London, Tokyo and Paris) with a virtually unrivaled collection of museums, galleries, performance venues, media outlets, international corporations, and stock exchanges. ... September 11 is the 254th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (255th in leap years). ... 2001: A Space Odyssey. ... The World Trade Center on fire The September 11, 2001 attacks were a series of coordinated terrorist attacks against the United States on September 11, 2001. ... The Lower Manhattan Development Corporation was formed after the September 11 attacks to plan the reconstruction of Lower Manhattan. ...

New York likely has the most extensive number of public benefit corporations in the United States.

Pennsylvania

The Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) provides public transportation in and around Philadelphia. The Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) is a regional quasi-public state agency that operates bus, subway and elevated rail, commuter rail, trolley (streetcar), and until recently trackless trolley service in the five-county Philadelphia, Pennsylvania region, which includes the combined city and county of Philadelphia, Delaware County, Montgomery County... Philadelphia is a village located in Jefferson County, New York. ...

The Delaware River Port Authority is a bi-state agency of Pennsylvania and New Jersey. The Delaware River Port Authority or DRPA is a bi-state government agency of the State of New Jersey and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. ...

Vermont

Like Maine, the state of Vermont defines public benefit corporations broadly. They include public benefit corporations founded by the state and by private entities. The Vermont Economic Development Authority [4] is an example of a state-owned public benefit corporation. State nickname: The Green Mountain State Official languages None Capital Montpelier Largest city Burlington Governor Jim Douglas (R) Senators Patrick Leahy (D) Jim Jeffords (I) Area  - Total  - % water Ranked 43th 24,923 km² 3. ...