The charitable community is one of the strongest and most trusted forces for good in American society. It is the vibrant meeting ground for nonprofits, foundations, corporations, and individuals of diverse missions, united in common purpose: working together to improve all lives, heal our natural world, and strengthen democratic society. Independent Sector is where everyone committed to strengthening the common good comes together to share ideas, leverage resources, and co-create a brighter future for our communities.
Sherry Salway Black Named 2019 Gardner Award Recipient
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About the Charitable Community
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What's happening at Independent Sector? Keep up with news about our work, our members, and trends impacting the charitable community.
Upswell Chicago
November 13-15, 2019
This fall, you’re invited to Chicago for a three-day experience that will push the limits of what is possible when we work together.
Explore Upswell
The Sector in Your State
Across the United States, the charitable sector generates incredible impact on both communities and economies. These profiles are snapshot of major statistics about each state’s charitable community. They are designed to give you a broad sense of the scale and diversity of nonprofits, foundations, and charities. Hover over a state for quick stats or click on a state for its full profile.
Policy Action Center
As an employee, volunteer, or donor to a charitable organization, you are the expert on how policy proposals affect your organizations, your communities, and your neighbors. Use your voice and educate lawmakers using the Independent Sector Action Center.Take Action
Value of Volunteer Time
Volunteers in the United States hold up the foundation of civil society by serving their communities and providing their expertise. Independent Sector’s Value of Volunteer Time gives you just one measure of volunteers’ contributions in time, talent, and effort.See the value
What drives us?
Community Building
We believe that the nonprofit ecosystem is stronger when all types of organizations have a common meeting ground — secular and religious, left and right, coastal and heartland. Together, we are better positioned to build a world where all can thrive.
Public Policy
We play a proactive, solutions-driven role in helping to craft policies that advance the common good and promote the health of the charitable sector. By educating policymakers on both need and impact, we help create an environment where charity can thrive.
Strong Sector
We aim to catalyze and change how the sector approaches the biggest challenges that have been identified and validated through our community-building work — always ensuring that our changemaker community is as diverse and inclusive as those we serve.
Membership
Why Join Independent Sector?
From the biggest foundations to local charities, Independent Sector is the only national organization that brings together nonprofits, foundations, and corporations engaged in every kind of charitable endeavor. Learn more about becoming a member.
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Resources
Increase your capacity and build expertise with our wide variety of resources, including publications, research, tools, and much more.
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Events
Online and in-person, from skills-building to networking to leadership development, there are lots of exciting opportunities to engage with IS.
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