Independent Sector

Independent Sector
FoundedOctober 18, 1976; 48 years ago (1976-10-18)[1]
Merger ofCoalition of National Voluntary Organizations and National Council of Philanthropy
52-1081024[2]
Legal status501(c)(3) nonprofit organization[2]
HeadquartersWashington, D.C., United States
Coordinates38°54′12″N 77°02′14″W / 38.9034291°N 77.0372580°W / 38.9034291; -77.0372580
ServicesNational conference, public policy, and networking and member engagement.[2]
Stephen B. Heinz[2]
Neil Nicoll[2]
Dr. Akilah Watkins (Jan 2023-present)
Subsidiaries1620 IS LLC[2]
Revenue$8,703,247[2] (2014)
Expenses$8,774,204[2] (2014)
Endowment$4,521,437[2]
Employees53[2] (2014)
Volunteers275[2] (2014)
Websitewww.independentsector.org

Independent Sector is a coalition of nonprofit organizations, foundations and corporate giving programs in the United States. Founded in 1980, it is the first organization to combine the grant seekers and grantees.

Located in Washington, D.C., Independent Sector largely works on federal policy issues that affect the nonprofit and philanthropic sector, including tax incentives and exemption status of organizations within the sector.

Several other organizational goals include cultivating leaders and emerging leaders, supporting and enhancing organizational effectiveness and ethical practices, and being the vital voice of the sector.

History

Independent Sector was created in 1980 with the merger of two nonprofit associations: the National Council of Philanthropy and the Coalition of National Voluntary Organizations. The charter meeting was held in Washington, D.C., on March 5, 1980. Brian O'Connell was the first president and John W. Gardner was the first Governing Board Chair.[3]

Leadership

Dr. Akilah Watkins is the President and CEO of Independent Sector as of January 2023.[4] Since its founding in 1980, Independent Sector has had the following board chairs:

Name Term
John W. Gardner, co-founder of Independent Sector 1980–1983
Richard W. Lyman 1984–1986
John H. Filer 1987–1989
Eugene C. Dorsey 1990–1992
Raul Yzaguirre 1993–1995
Barbara Finberg 1996–1998
Peter B. Goldberg 1999–2001
John R. Seffrin 2002–2004
William Trueheart 2005–2007
Brian Gallagher 2008–2010
Stephen B. Heintz 2011–2013
Jeffrey Bradach 2013–2021
Fred Blackwell 2021–present

References

  1. ^ "Independent Sector". "District of Columbia Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs". Government of the District of Columbia. Accessed on April 13, 2016.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k "Form 990: Return of Organization Exempt from Income Tax". Independent Sector. Guidestar. December 31, 2014.
  3. ^ O'Connell, Brian. Powered by Coalition: The Story of INDEPENDENT SECTOR. 1997.
  4. ^ Independent Sector Names Dr. Akilah Watkins as Incoming President and CEO https://independentsector.org/blog/independent-sector-names-dr-akilah-watkins-as-incoming-president-and-ceo/