Independent Sector

Independent Sector
Name	Independent Sector
Formation	1980
Type	Nonprofit coalition
Headquarters	Washington, D.C.
Region served	United States
Leader title	President and CEO
Leader name	Wellspring

Independent Sector Independent Sector is an American coalition of charitable organizations, foundations, and corporate giving programs formed in 1980 to represent the nonprofit community in public policy, philanthropy, and sector leadership. It brought together major funders like the Ford Foundation, Carnegie Corporation of New York, and Rockefeller Foundation with charities such as the American Red Cross and United Way of America to coordinate advocacy and standards. Independent Sector has engaged with legislative debates involving the Tax Reform Act of 1986, the Charitable Tax Credit discussions, and regulatory matters linked to the Internal Revenue Service.

History

Independent Sector emerged from dialogues in the late 1970s among leaders at organizations including the Grantmakers in the Arts, Association of Fundraising Professionals, and Council on Foundations who sought a unified voice after controversies surrounding the Reagan Administration policy shifts. Early board members included executives from the Ford Foundation, the Carnegie Corporation of New York, and the Annenberg Foundation, and the organization collaborated with advocacy groups such as the National Council of Nonprofits and the Urban Institute. During the 1980s and 1990s Independent Sector partnered with entities like the Council on Foundations on studies influenced by reports from the Russell Sage Foundation and legal rulings from the United States Supreme Court. It played a convening role during crises involving the Hurricane Katrina recovery and policy responses to the September 11 attacks, working alongside the American Red Cross and the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

Mission and Activities

Independent Sector's stated mission centers on strengthening the nonprofit sector by advancing public policies and practices that support grantmaking institutions such as the Rockefeller Foundation, service organizations like Feeding America, and advocacy groups like the NAACP. It provides resources to members including cultural institutions like the Smithsonian Institution, health charities such as the American Cancer Society, and legal centers including the Brennan Center for Justice. Activities include convening CEOs from organizations like the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and the Kresge Foundation, producing guidelines that reference standards from the Financial Accounting Standards Board and engaging in civic initiatives that have intersected with campaigns by the National Endowment for the Arts and the National Endowment for the Humanities.

Governance and Leadership

Independent Sector is governed by a board composed of leaders from institutions such as the Ford Foundation, the Carnegie Corporation of New York, and national nonprofits like Planned Parenthood Federation of America and Habitat for Humanity International. Its executive leadership historically included figures who previously worked at organizations like the Council on Foundations and the Urban Institute. The board has drawn on experts affiliated with universities such as Harvard University, Columbia University, and Georgetown University and legal advisors from firms that have represented clients before the Internal Revenue Service and the United States Department of Justice.

Programs and Initiatives

Independent Sector developed programs addressing nonprofit transparency, ethics, and stewardship, collaborating with standard-setters such as the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and policy groups like the Bipartisan Policy Center. Initiatives have included leadership development programs that partner with universities like Stanford University and University of Pennsylvania and sector-wide surveys conducted with research partners including the Urban Institute and Independent Sector Research Center-style projects. It has hosted national convenings with participation from foundations like the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation, philanthropic networks such as the Council on Foundations, and major charities including Save the Children.

Funding and Financials

Independent Sector's funding model historically combined membership dues from organizations including United Way Worldwide, grants from foundations such as the Carnegie Corporation of New York and the Ford Foundation, and corporate sponsorships from companies that operate corporate giving programs like those of JP Morgan Chase and Microsoft Corporation. Financial reports have reflected revenues used to support convenings, research, and advocacy similar to practices at the Council on Foundations and other intermediary organizations. The organization has also received project-specific funding tied to initiatives supported by philanthropies such as the Lilly Endowment and the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation.

Partnerships and Advocacy

Independent Sector built partnerships with national networks including the National Council of Nonprofits, the Council on Foundations, and the Association of Fundraising Professionals to coordinate responses to policy proposals from the United States Congress and regulatory guidance from the Internal Revenue Service. It has advocated on issues overlapping with the Charitable Giving Coalition and worked with legal and academic partners from institutions like Yale University and New York University to analyze the impacts of proposed reforms such as revisions to the Tax Reform Act of 1986 and proposals affecting charitable deduction policies. During national crises, it coordinated with relief organizations including the American Red Cross and federal entities such as the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

Category:Nonprofit organizations based in Washington, D.C.