Independent Sector

ndependent Sector serves as the premier meeting ground for the leaders of America's charitable and philanthropic sector. Since our founding in 1980, we have sponsored ground-breaking research, fought for public policies that support a dynamic, independent sector, and created unparalleled resources so staff, boards, and volunteers can improve their organizations and better serve their communities. Independent Sector fulfills our mission by: Convening opportunities for sector leaders to work together on key issues. The most prominent forum of this kind is the Independent Sector Annual Conference, but IS committees are another key part of developing collective strategies. Promoting policies that enable the charitable community to engage with public officials on a nonpartisan basis. IS is currently focusing on issues such as protecting advocacy rights of nonprofits, promoting tax incentives for charitable giving, and addressing federal and state budget concerns. Supporting the development and dissemination of strategies to strengthen volunteering, voting, giving, and other forms of citizen engagement. Encouraging the sector to meet the highest standards of ethical practice and effectiveness. As part of our continuing efforts in this area, IS has convened the Panel on the Nonprofit Sector, which is making recommendations in the areas of governance, fiduciary responsibility, government oversight, self-regulation, and financial accountability. Serving as the voice of the independent sector to the media, government, business, and international voluntary communities.