The charitable sector—comprised of foundations, charities, individual donors, and other voluntary organizations—mobilizes private initiative for the public good.
We're working to understand the sector as a whole—what needs it addresses, how it operates, and how it is financed. We believe that having this information can help set realistic expectations regarding the potential (and the limits) of the sector and can contribute to a policy environment that enables the sector to thrive and grow.
To achieve these goals, we fund research, data collection, and awareness building by a variety of organizations, including Independent Sector, Council on Foundations, Foundation Center, Urban Institute's Center on Nonprofits and Philanthropy, and GuideStar.