Non-profits work to an extent, but they work particularly effectively in areas that need to be served or aren't sufficiently served. I would not say that community ISPs would work as effectively in an urban area where there is substantial competition. Not-for-profits are effective in the sense that they have a mandate that ensures that they attempt to serve the communities their mandate covers. At at the same time, not-for-profits aren't motivated by absolute profit, so they might not necessarily make the most efficient or economic investment decisions. We've had cases in British Columbia where community ISPs, not-for-profit mandates, have failed to deliver on their expectations and have effectively gone bankrupt. That's left some rural communities in a worse state, but they are an effective option when there isn't sufficient private competition.
On February 8th, 2018. See this statement in context.