Back Overview  

501(c)(3) Public Charities

Introduction

More than half of all nonprofit organizations are 501(c)(3) public charities. Public charities include most organizations active in the arts, education, health care, and human services. They are what most people mean when they use the term nonprofit organization. The nation’s approximately 350,000 religious congregations are also considered public charities, but they are not required to register with the IRS, although about half have chosen to do so.

Click here to see the largest and some examples of smaller organizations.

Please contact us at [email protected]. We are sorry for the inconvenience.
- Sorry, there was an error processing record: -

Please contact us at [email protected]. We are sorry for the inconvenience.

The Numbers (United States)

• The number of organizations registered with the IRS changed by -1 percent from in 2002 to in 2012.
• The number of organizations reporting to the IRS changed -1 percent from in 2002 to in 2012.
• Total revenues for reporting organizations changed by -1 percent from in 2002 to $ in 2012.
• Total assets for reporting organizations changed by -1 percent from in 2002 to in 2012.

(Note: Financial data have not been adjusted for inflation.)

Statistical Tables

Registered Organizations

• Summary
• Trends
• By Type of Activity or Purpose (NTEE)
• By Organization Age (The IRS's "ruling date.")

Organizations That File Annually with the IRS

These organizations must have at least $25,000 in gross receipts.

• Summary
• Trends
• By Type of Activity or Purpose (NTEE)
• By Size of Organization (Total Expenses, Total Revenue, or Assets)
• By Organization Age (The IRS's "ruling date.")

Registered users can create their own custom tables to view organizations in multiple dimensions or explore other information that we have on these organizations. Click here to learn more.