when they are based on the principle that revenues must cover costs, they can turn to the banking system and the capital markets for financing to supplement their endowments, private donations and public contributions. In countries where the non-profit sector has grown to significant dimensions, its enterprises compete with commercial firms in the product markets and in the market for financial resources.
They obtain funds from commercial intermediaries on the basis of proven solvency and established reputation. In Italian law the formation and the range of business of an intermediary whose vocation is to finance the non-profit sector cannot deviate from the rules governing financial activities in general.