About Us

• Mission
• Visions
• Who We Are
• What We Do
• Our Logo
• Our Supporters

Mission

To advance the vital role, capacity, and voice of charitable nonprofit organizations through our state and national networks.

Visions

for America’s nonprofit sector
A nation of sustainable, effective nonprofits that serve the public good by enriching communities and the lives of individuals

for the National Council’s extended network
A network of nonprofits in every state, served by a State Association that amplifies the voices and builds the capacity of local community-based nonprofits

for the National Council of Nonprofits 
A leading voice for nonprofits and a valuable resource for the State Associations’ network, committed to professionalism, teamwork, and learning, and inspired by service to and advocacy for nonprofits.

Who We Are

The National Council of Nonprofits, the nation’s largest nonprofit network, works through its member State Associations to amplify the voices of America’s local community-based nonprofit organizations, help them engage in critical policy issues affecting the sector, manage and lead more effectively, collaborate and exchange solutions, and achieve greater impact in their communities.

What We Do

Public Policy 

The National Council of Nonprofits serves as the national voice for its nonprofit members before Congress and within the Administration, promoting the interests of the nonprofit community and ensuring a seat at the table on all policy initiatives that impact the sector. We also work with our network of State Associations to identify policy trends in state legislatures, coordinate efforts across the states, and inform state and local debates with targeted research and communications. Our members are kept abreast of the most pressing issues and given the information and tools they need to advocate locally.

We actively participate in coalitions and public policy campaigns at the state and national levels, and we work to ensure the full participation of nonprofit in the policy process arena. The National Council is proud to have:

• successfully advocated for the inclusion of the Nonprofit Capacity Building Program in the Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act;

• promoted the extension of small employer health credits to nonprofits organizations as part of the new health care reform law; and

• assisted in the development of the recently introduced Nonprofit Sector and Community Solutions Act.

Publications

The National Council publishes three e-newsletters: Nonprofit Advocacy Matters, dedicated to keeping an eye on policy matters affecting nonprofits at the federal and state levels; Nonprofit Knowledge Matters, a capacity-building publication dedicated to sharing knowledge so that staff and board members, funders, and anyone who cares about nonprofits, can stay up-to-date on critical issues impacting the nonprofit sector and learn about resources that can help nonprofits build their capacity; and Nonprofit Network Matters, a member-only newsletter circulated to State Association Members of the National Council.

Research

The National Council conducts research and analyzes information to improve the public's understanding about nonprofits and the value of State Associations to the nonprofit sector. Most recently, the National Council has produced a series of Special Reports on challenges facing nonprofits as a result of the national economy and state budget crises, as well as to share information about how nonprofits are meeting those challenges.

Special Events

The National Council hosts an annual Member Meeting that brings State Association leaders together to chart a course for the network and the sector. The National Council also participates in numerous events with national and statewide partners and provides trainings and webinars on a wide range of topics.

Thought Leadership

The National Council is a valued resource to congressional leaders, national peers, and the media, and is regularly sought out for its informed and objective analysis on the nonprofit sector. The National Council is the largest network of nonprofits in the United States. Read about the role of networks in the nonprofit sector and how they: "coordinate efforts, take joint action, and disseminate information about what works."

Our Logo

The National Council of Nonprofits' logo and tagline articulate our "national voice, state focus, and local impact." The symbol represents the weave of our local, state, and national partnerships as nonprofits with the government and private sectors, creating the strong fabric of our nation's communities.