Independent Sector

Independent Sector is the national membership organization that connects, strengthens, and advocates for nonprofits and philanthropies. Our vision is a charitable sector that is healthy, trusted, and equitable and helps all people in the United States thrive in a vibrant civil society and just democracy. Independent Sector formed in 1980 when Coalition of National Voluntary Organizations and the National Council on Philanthropy merged into one umbrella organization to help promote sensible national policies and communicate the value of a strong and unified charitable community. From its headquarters in Washington, DC, Independent Sector unites nonprofits and philanthropy to strengthen the charitable sector, identifying structural challenges and mobilizing the sector around policy and practice solutions.