In order to understand the scope and size of the nonprofit arena in the United States, one needs to look to the various organizations that who’s job it is to gather and study the data. Below is a list of just a few of those organizations.
The National Center for Charitable Statistics (NCCS) is the national clearinghouse of data on the nonprofit sector in the United States.
Its mission is to develop and disseminate high-quality data on nonprofit organizations and their activities for use in research on the relationships between the nonprofit sector, government, the commercial sector, and the broader civil society.
Working closely with the IRS and other government agencies, private sector service organizations, and the scholarly community, NCCS builds compatible national, state, and regional databases and develops uniform standards for reporting on the activities of charitable organizations.
The Center was established in 1982 and has been a project of the Center on Nonprofits and Philanthropy (CNP) at the Urban Institute since July 1996, when it was transferred from the research division of INDEPENDENT SECTOR.
The Urban Institute gathers data, conducts research, evaluates programs, offers technical assistance overseas, and educates Americans on social and economic issues to foster sound public policy and effective government.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics http://www.bls.gov/home.htm
Volunteering in the United States, 2009 http://www.bls.gov/news.release/volun.nr0.htm
Independent Sector is the leadership forum for charities, foundations, and corporate giving programs committed to advancing the common good in America and around the world. Their nonpartisan coalition of approximately 600 organizations leads, strengthens and mobilizes the charitable community in order to fulfill our vision of a just and inclusive society and a healthy democracy of active citizens, effective institutions, and vibrant communities.
DISCLAIMER: This information is not intended to provide legal or accounting advice, or to address specific situations. Please consult with your legal or tax advisor to supplement and verify what you learn here.
