The article considers a state corporation as a special organizational and legal form of a non-profit organization established by the Russian Federation to achieve socially beneficial goals. The article analyzes the regulatory and legal bases of the activities of state corporations, their goals and objectives, the specifics of their creation and functioning. Special attention is paid to the combination of state control and commercial activities, as well as the powers of state corporations to dispose of property. The reasons for the emergence of state corporations in Russia, their role in the implementation of large-scale government projects and ensuring national security are considered. The special status of state corporations in the system of state authorities and the procedure for the formation of their property are emphasized. The weaknesses of this organizational and legal form are analyzed separately, such as lack of transparency in resource management, insufficient responsibility for failure to complete tasks, and the absence of a single regulatory act regulating their activities. In conclusion, it is concluded that, despite the shortcomings, the state corporation remains a unique instrument for implementing government policy in strategically important sectors of the economy.