What Are Supporting Organizations?
Supporting non-profit organizations are umbrella organizations or coalitions that provide shared services and play a vital role by providing resources, expertise, and advocacy to help other non-profits achieve their missions. Key characteristics of a supporting organization include:
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Supporting nonprofits’ main activities include capacity building, providing grants, offering technical assistance, or advocating on behalf of their partner organizations.
Their mission centers around strengthening the capacity and effectiveness of the organizations they support, rather than serving the public directly.
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Typically, they have a board of directors or trustees responsible for overseeing their activities, ensuring alignment with their mission, and maintaining transparency and accountability.
They actively collaborate with the organizations they support, government agencies, funders, and community stakeholders to maximize impact.
A core characteristic is providing training, resources, and expertise to help recipient organizations improve their operations, governance, and program delivery.
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•Most supporting nonprofits qualify for tax-exempt status under IRS code 501(c)(3) (in the U.S.) or similar designations in other countries, emphasizing their charitable purpose.
They operate on a non-profit basis, reinvesting any surplus into their mission-related activities rather than distributing profits to shareholders.
Their goal is to create sustainable, long-term improvements in the capacity of their partner organizations, thereby amplifying social impact.