Independent Sector - GuideStar Profile
GuideStar
Independent Sector
aka
IndepSec
Washington, DC
Mission
WE UNITE NONPROFITS AND PHILANTHROPY TO STRENGTHEN THE CHARITABLE SECTOR, IDENTIFYING STRUCTURAL CHALLENGES AND MOBILIZING THE SECTOR AROUND POLICY AND PRACTICE SOLUTIONS.
Ruling year
info
1977
President and CEO
Akilah Watkins
Main address
1602 L St NW Ste 900
Washington, DC 20036-5682 USA
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Contact Information
Contact
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Fundraising Contact
Katherine Cattell
Director, Foundation Partnerships
[email protected]
Physical Address
1602 L St NW Ste 900
Washington, DC 20036-5682
Payment Address
1602 L St NW Ste 900
Washington, DC 20036-5682
Donation Payable
Legal name of organization: Independent Sector
EIN
52-1081024
NTEE code
info
Alliance/Advocacy Organizations (W01)
IRS filing requirement
This organization is required to file an IRS Form 990 or 990-EZ.
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Communication
Programs and results
What we aim to solve
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Our programs
SOURCE: Self-reported by organization
What are the organization's current programs, how do they measure success,
and who do the programs serve?
Program 1
PUBLIC POLICY:INDEPENDENT SECTOR'S PUBLIC POLICY LEADERSHIP ACTIVITIES ARE FOCUSED ON RESEARCH, POLICY DEVELOPMENT, ANALYSIS, AND ADVOCACY EFFORTS TO ENSURE A HEALTHY, TRUSTED AND EQUITABLE NONPROFIT SECTOR. IN 2024, WE CONTINUED TO ADDRESS CONCERNS ABOUT DECLINING CHARITABLE GIVING THROUGH PASSAGE OF LEGISLATION THAT WOULD CREATE A UNIVERSAL CHARITABLE DEDUCTION. WE ALSO CONTINUED TO ADVANCE OUR BI-PARTISAN NONPROFIT STAKEHOLDERS ENGAGING AND ADVANCING TOGETHER (NONPROFIT SEAT) LEGISLATION IN THE US HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES THAT WOULD ENSURE THE VOICE AND EXPERTISE OF THE NONPROFIT CHARITABLE SECTOR HAD PERMANENT REPRESENTATION WITHIN THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH OF THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT. AS PART OF OUR SEAT AT THE TABLE INITIATIVE, INDEPENDENT SECTOR CO-HOSTED TWO WHITE HOUSE ROUNDTABLES IN 2024. THE FIRST FOCUSED ON THE STATE OF THE SECTOR'S WORKFORCE AND THE NEED FOR BETTER WORKFORCE DATA. THE SECOND ROUNDTABLE HAD SECTOR LEADERS AND WHITE HOUSE OFFICIALS EXCHANGING INSIGHTS AND SHARING STRATEGIES TO ADVANCE A JUST SOCIETY. WE ALSO BEGAN WORK ON A LEGISLATIVE INITIATIVE TO MAKE CERTAIN THAT NONPROFIT EMPLOYERS ARE ELIGIBLE FOR THE SAME TAX INCENTIVES AS THEIR FOR-PROFIT PEERS FOR INVESTMENT IN THEIR WORKFORCE THROUGH THE CREATION OF RETIREMENT PLANS AND FACILITY-BASED CHILDCARE. IS LAUNCHED AN INTERACTIVE DIGITAL NONPROFIT SECTOR STATE PROFILES RESOURCE, WHICH PROVIDES THE MOST RECENT DATA FOR ALL 50 STATES, THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, AND THE UNITED STATES FROM THE IRS, BLS, CENSUS BUREAU, AMERICORPS, AND INDEPENDENT SECTOR'S OWN RESEARCH. INDEPENDENT SECTOR MEMBERS CAN USE THIS NATIONAL AND STATE DATA TO ADVOCATE MORE EFFECTIVELY WITH POLICYMAKERS, CONDUCT RESEARCH, AND LEARN MORE ABOUT THE SECTOR. IN 2024 WE CONCLUDED A TWO-YEAR SERIES OF REPORTS ON ADVOCACY PRACTICES IN THE NONPROFIT SECTOR AND WORKED WITH AN ADVISORY GROUP OF ADVOCATES TO DEFINE HIGH-PRIORITY INTERVENTIONS INFORMED BY THE RESEARCH. THIS AND OTHER INDEPENDENT SECTOR RESEARCH ALLOW US TO SHAPE MORE EFFECTIVE TOOLS AND TRAINING TO ENSURE NONPROFITS ARE INFORMED AND ACTIVE ADVOCATES. FINALLY, INDEPENDENT SECTOR'S PUBLIC POLICY PRIORITIES AND ADVOCACY EFFORTS ARE ADVANCED BY THE NONPROFIT INFRASTRUCTURE COALITION, A GROUP OF APPROXIMATELY 50 ORGANIZATIONS FROM ACROSS THE SECTOR, THAT ARE ALIGNED WITH THE CORE POLICY AIMS OF IS. THE COALITION IS CO-LED WITH KABOOM!
Population(s) Served
Program 2
COMMUNICATIONS:COMMUNICATIONS AMPLIFIES CRITICAL INFORMATION, ANALYSIS AND STORIES FOR A BROAD, DIVERSE AUDIENCE TO ADVANCE A HEALTHIER CHARITABLE SECTOR. THIS WORK INCLUDES DIGITAL AND PRINT PUBLICATIONS, ANALYSIS AND PERSPECTIVES, AND OTHER RESOURCES DISSEMINATED ACROSS PROPRIETARY AND SOCIAL OR OTHER MEDIA CHANNELS. SAMPLE RESOURCES INCLUDE THE WEEKLY MEMBER NEWSLETTER THE DIGEST, WHICH INCLUDES NEWS AND EVENTS OF INTEREST TO OUR MEMBER ORGANIZATIONS; VOICES FOR GOOD, WHICH PRIMARILY FOCUSES ON THE ORGANIZATION'S PUBLIC POLICY WORK ON BEHALF OF THE SECTOR; AND CHANGEWORKS, WHICH LIFTS THE WORK OF OUR MEMBER ORGANIZATIONS. THIS WORK ALSO BRINGS VOICE AND VISIBILITY TO KEY CHARITABLE SECTOR RESEARCH IS CONDUCTS OR COMMISSIONS, INCLUDING THE PURSUIT OF INFLUENCE: INTERVIEWS WITH NONPROFIT LEADERS ABOUT ADVOCACY; ALICE IN THE NONPROFIT WORKFORCE: A STUDY OF FINANCIAL HARDSHIP, THE FIRST-EVER RESEARCH REPORT THAT FOUND THAT MORE THAN ONE IN FIVE NONPROFIT EMPLOYEES IN THE UNITED STATES STRUGGLE FINANCIALLY; AND INDEPENDENT SECTOR'S 2024 HEALTH OF THE U.S. NONPROFIT SECTOR: ANNUAL REVIEW, WHICH PROVIDED DATA, ANALYSIS, AND RECOMMENDATIONS ABOUT THE KEY AREAS POWERING MORE THAN 1.9 MILLION U.S. NONPROFITS, INCLUDING ECONOMY AND FINANCES, WORKFORCE, TRUST AND GOVERNANCE, AND PUBLIC POLICY ADVOCACY. IS ALSO PRODUCED HARNESSING OUR COLLECTIVE POWER, A COMPREHENSIVE REPORT SUMMARIZING KEY INSIGHTS FROM A NATIONAL LISTENING TOUR, CAPTURING NONPROFIT AND PHILANTHROPIC SECTOR CHALLENGES, TRENDS, AND OPPORTUNITIES.
Population(s) Served
Program 3
SECTOR HEALTH:INDEPENDENT SECTOR'S WORK ANALYZES AND SHARES INSIGHTS ON FOUR CORE ASPECTS OF THE CHARITABLE SECTOR'S HEALTH: (1) FINANCES; (2) WORKFORCE; (3) PUBLIC TRUST AND GOOD GOVERNANCE; (4) POLICY ADVOCACY. RESEARCH FROM VARIOUS AUTHORITATIVE SOURCES IS COMPILED IN THE HEALTH OF THE US NONPROFIT SECTOR ANNUAL REPORT, WHICH WAS RELEASED IN DECEMBER 2024. DATA FINDINGS AND ANALYSIS IN THE REPORT ARE THEN USED TO INFORM POLICY AND PRACTICE INTERVENTIONS NEEDED TO BUILD A HEALTHIER CHARITABLE SECTOR. IS ALSO COMMISSIONS AND CONDUCTS ORIGINAL RESEARCH. IN 2024, WE CONDUCTED OUR FIFTH ANNUAL SURVEY ON PUBLIC TRUST IN NONPROFITS AND PHILANTHROPY, CONDUCTED IN PARTNERSHIP WITH EDELMAN DATA AND INTELLIGENCE. IN 2024, WE FOUND THAT THE NONPROFIT SECTOR IS THE MOST TRUSTED SECTOR OF AMERICAN SOCIETY, IN PART DUE TO CONCERNING LOSSES OF PUBLIC TRUST IN SMALL BUSINESSES AND LOCAL COMMUNITIES. IN 2024 WE CONCLUDED ANOTHER SIGNIFICANT BODY OF RESEARCH, ALSO COMMISSIONED BY INDEPENDENT SECTOR AND MENTIONED ABOVE, EXAMINING ADVOCACY ACTIVITIES BY NONPROFITS. THE QUANTITATIVE STUDY, RELEASED IN 2023, INDICATED CONCERNING DOWNWARD TRENDS IN POLICY ADVOCACY BY NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS. IN 2024, WE RELEASED A COMPLEMENTARY QUALITATIVE STUDY THAT PROVIDED MORE INSIGHT INTO HOW AND WHY NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS DO OR DO NOT ADVOCATE. ALL OF INDEPENDENT SECTOR'S RESEARCH, TRUE TO IS PRACTICE, IS INTENDED TO INFORM TOOLS, TRAININGS, AND OTHER INTERVENTIONS TO STRENGTHEN THE HEALTH OF THE NONPROFIT SECTOR.
Population(s) Served
Where we work
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Our results
SOURCE: Self-reported by organization
How does this organization measure their results? It's a hard question but an important one.
Evaluation documents
Download evaluation reports
Number of website pageviews
This metric is no longer tracked.
Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
Related Program
Type of Metric
Output - describing our activities and reach
Direction of Success
Holding steady
Context Notes
Media mentions
This metric is no longer tracked.
Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
Related Program
Type of Metric
Output - describing our activities and reach
Direction of Success
Holding steady
Context Notes
Number of research or policy analysis products developed, e.g., reports, briefs
This metric is no longer tracked.
Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
Related Program
Type of Metric
Other - describing something else
Direction of Success
Holding steady
Context Notes
Goals & Strategy
SOURCE: Self-reported by organization
Learn about the organization's key goals, strategies, capabilities, and progress.
Charting impact
Four powerful questions that require reflection about what really matters - results.
What is the organization aiming to accomplish?
We envision a world of engaged individuals, robust institutions, and vibrant communities working together to improve lives and the natural world, and strengthen democratic societies. To help create this future, we lead and catalyze the charitable community, partnering with government, business, and individuals to advance the common good.
Our organizational strategies are results-centered and racial equity-focused. We believe that all charitable nonprofits and foundations in this country should be healthy and equitable to ensure that all people in the United States thrive, with targeted focus on Native, Black, Latinx, Asian, and other communities of color.
Beliefs
• Collective Solutions – We find better solutions to complex problems when diverse groups, committed to the common good, come together in networks of responsibility.
• Opportunity, Respect, and Inclusiveness – Societies thrive when all people have equal opportunity to succeed, are treated with respect, and can fully participate in the life of the community.
• The Power of the Charitable Community – By taking bold risks, encouraging creativity, fostering collaboration, and inspiring optimism, the sector is a vital, leading force in improving lives and the natural world, and strengthening democratic societies.
• Responsible, Transparent Institutions – Democratic societies rely on transparent, ethical, and accountable institutions and people.
What are the organization's key strategies for making this happen?
Sector Impact
We create and share knowledge and research to both understand and accelerate the impact of the nonprofit sector. By assessing the health of the nonprofit and philanthropic sector as a whole, we can map out a clearer path toward driving more health and equity in our communities.
Sector Impact Priorities in 2022
1. Health of the U.S. Nonprofit Sector 2.0
2. Trust in Civil Society
3. Continued Community Engagement around new and current Impact knowledge and research
Building Community
We build community among changemakers who work and volunteer in the social sector in order to focus on wellness, build trust, bridge divides toward belonging, and create this healthy and racially just society to ensure all people thrive.
Building Community Priorities in 2022
1. Advance innovation and activation through constant evaluation of our Sense of Community
2. Offer a comprehensive Fellows Program, including launching new Alumni Network and new Bridging Fellows
3. Upswell events focused on Racial Justice, Self/Community Care, and Bridging and Belonging
Public Policy
We advocate for public policies that strengthens nonprofits, foundations, and diverse communities nationwide – and helps social sector organizations fulfill missions. We serve as a unified voice and information source on pressing legislative and economic issues in our sector.
Public Policy Priorities in 2022
1. “A Seat at the Table” campaign for permanent partnership between nonprofits and the Executive Branch
2. Continued advocacy to strengthen core tax policy priorities and infrastructure investments toward a healthy and equitable communities
3. Launch of a new Advocacy Survey that will fill a 20-year gap in data around nonprofit advocacy and civic engagement (i.e., voter engagement) activities
How we listen
SOURCE: Self-reported by organization
Seeking feedback from people served makes programs more responsive and effective. Here’s how this organization is listening.
done
We shared information about our current feedback practices.
How is your organization using feedback from the people you serve?
To identify and remedy poor client service experiences, To identify bright spots and enhance positive service experiences, To make fundamental changes to our programs and/or operations, To inform the development of new programs/projects, To identify where we are less inclusive or equitable across demographic groups, To strengthen relationships with the people we serve, To understand people's needs and how we can help them achieve their goals
Which of the following feedback practices does your organization routinely carry out?
We collect feedback from the people we serve at least annually, We take steps to get feedback from marginalized or under-represented people, We aim to collect feedback from as many people we serve as possible, We take steps to ensure people feel comfortable being honest with us, We look for patterns in feedback based on demographics (e.g., race, age, gender, etc.), We look for patterns in feedback based on people’s interactions with us (e.g., site, frequency of service, etc.), We engage the people who provide feedback in looking for ways we can improve in response, We act on the feedback we receive
Financials
Independent Sector
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Operations
The people, governance practices, and partners that make the organization tick.
Board of directors
Officers, directors, trustees, and key employees
Highest paid employees
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Connect with nonprofit leaders
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Independent Sector
Board of directors
as of
02/26/2026
SOURCE: Self-reported by organization
Board chair
Fred Blackwell
San Francisco Foundation
Term: 2021 -
Adam Taylor
Sojourners
Akilah Watkins
PRESIDENT & CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
Ann Mei Chang
Candid
Ann Mei Chang
BOARD OF DIRECTOR
David Williams
Deloitte Financials LLP
Diane Melley
Philadelphia Foundation
John Brothers
VICE CHAIRMAN (THRU 10/2024)
Manuel Pastor
BOD, AT LARGE (BEG 10/2024)
Michael McAfee
SECRETARY (THRU 10/2024)
Eboo Patel
Interfaith Youth Core
Fred Blackwell
The San Francisco Foundation
Fred Blackwell
San Francisco Foundation
Fred Blackwell
CHAIRMAN (THRU 10/2024)
Hillary Pennington
BOARD OF DIRECTOR
Isaiah Oliver
BOARD OF DIRECTOR
Jacqueline Martinez Garcel
BOARD OF DIRECTOR
Janeen Comenote
BOARD OF DIRECTOR
Janine Lee
Southeastern Council of Foundations
Janine Lee
BOARD OF DIRECTOR (THRU 4/2024)
Jennifer Ford Reedy
TREASURER (THRU 10/2024)
Jennifer Reedy
Bush Foundation
John Brothers
T. Rowe Price Foundation
Jose Antonio Tijerino
BOARD OF DIRECTOR
Julie Gehrki
BOARD OF DIRECTOR
Larry Kramer
The William and Flora Hewlett Foundation
Lysa Ratliff
TREASURER (BEG 10/2024)
Manuel Pastor
Michael McAfee
PolicyLink
Nicole Anderson
BOARD OF DIRECTOR (THRU 10/2024)
Nicole Anderson
AT&T Foundation
Phoebe Boyer
Children's Aid Society
Phoebe Boyer
BOD, AT LARGE (THRU 9/2024)
Adam Russell Taylor
CHAIRMAN (BEG 10/2024)
Richard E Besser
BOARD OF DIRECTOR
Sarah Kastelic
VICE CHAIRMAN (THRU 10/2024)
Sarah Kastelic
National Indian Child Welfare Association
Sonya Campion
Campion Advocacy Fund
Sonya Campion
SECRETARY (BEG 10/2024)
Stacey Stewart
March of Dimes
Suzanne McCormick
BOARD OF DIRECTOR
Suzanne McCormick
YMCA USA
Board leadership practices
SOURCE: Self-reported by organization
GuideStar worked with BoardSource, the national leader
in nonprofit board leadership and governance, to create this section.
Board orientation and education
Does the board conduct a formal orientation for new board members and require all board members to sign a written agreement regarding their roles, responsibilities, and expectations?
yes
CEO oversight
Has the board conducted a formal, written assessment of the chief executive within the past year ?
yes
Ethics and transparency
Have the board and senior staff reviewed the conflict-of-interest policy and completed and signed disclosure statements in the past year?
yes
Board composition
Does the board ensure an inclusive board member recruitment process that results in diversity of thought and leadership?
yes
Board performance
Has the board conducted a formal, written self-assessment of its performance within the past three years?
yes
Organizational demographics
info
Candid has made improvements to the race and ethnicity options.
Who works and leads organizations that serve our diverse communities?
Candid partnered with CHANGE Philanthropy on this demographic section.
Leadership
The organization's leader identifies as:
Race & ethnicity
Black/African American
Gender identity
Female, Not transgender
Sexual orientation
Decline to state
Disability status
Decline to state
Race & ethnicity
Gender identity
Transgender Identity
Sexual orientation
Disability
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Letter of Determination
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