What types of nonprofits are there?
Nonprofit organizations fall into five main categories: • Trade associations, organized to advance a group of people who have a profession in common (for example, Association of Research Librarians, International Association of Meeting Planners). This group also includes chambers of commerce and unions. • Charitable organizations, which must generally demonstrate a benevolent component. This is a diverse category, including religious groups, museums, environmental and educational organizations, libraries, and the many helping groups referred to as “charities.” They are also referred to as 501(c)(3) organizations, because that is the number of the IRS Code under which they are described. • Social clubs, such as country clubs and fraternal organizations. • Governmental groups, including city, county, state, and federal agencies. • Political groups, generally organized to promote certain policies, issues, or candidates for political office.
