wrote:

which is of course not the point

Of course it is the point.

The goal of any non-profit organization (fiscally) would be to operate at a
surplus (i.e. profit, the most preferable) or zero-sum (break even, expenses
= income, much less preferable).

Any non-profit organization that does not operate at a "profit" is not
long-term fiscally healthy. Even operating at a break-even level is not
fiscally healthy for a non-profit, as it allows no build up of "retained
earnings" (e.g. 'statement of net assets') from which to draw down on in the
event of lean years, unanticipated expenses, etc.

An an ARRL Life Member, I'm glad to see the organization operating at a
surplus. The more, the better, as it allows for accumulation of a large fund
from which to draw in the event of an emergency.