They also provide infrastructure and facilities that benefit the for-profit medical groups.
A similar event in the park that would be open to the public and not sponsored by a for-profit group would require a fee of up to $25,000.
Instead, the charities drawing scrutiny are set up by doctors in private practice and are closely linked to those doctors' for-profit medical groups.
Faced with a $1.7 billion deficit over two years, the Legislature is considering a proposal to sell state college dormitories to for-profit groups.
Society's interests can never be served by permitting a nonprofit group to offer a product or service that could be offered by a for-profit group.
But lately, the line between renting to other charitable uses and to for-profit groups has blurred.
Several churches and temples are renting space to Weight Watchers, a for-profit group.
He raised the ire of some local nonprofit groups when he underwrote a concert series run by a for-profit group in 1981.
The law, which became binding on July 1, covers employees of most nonprofit and for-profit groups and agencies that hold contracts with the county.
Non-profit groups may use the rooms free of charge, and for-profit groups are charged $5/hour.