[DrRon Suarez]

Nonprofit organizations that focus on public policy are classified under several recognized categories, primarily using the National Taxonomy of Exempt Entities (NTEE) system and IRS codes. These categories help identify the main activities and missions of nonprofits engaged in advocacy, research, and policy influence.

Major NTEE Categories Relevant to Public Policy

1. Public, Societal Benefit

• This is the primary NTEE major group for organizations engaged in public policy, advocacy, and related activities. It includes:
  • R: Civil Rights, Social Action, Advocacy
  • S: Community Improvement & Capacity Building
  • T: Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking Foundations
  • W: Public & Societal Benefit (Not Elsewhere Classified)

2. Alliances & Advocacy (A01, B01, etc.)

• Organizations whose activities focus on influencing public policy within their specific sector (e.g., arts, education, environment).

3. Research Institutes & Public Policy Analysis (A05, B05, etc.)

• Organizations primarily conducting research and policy analysis within their sector.

Common NTEE Codes for Public Policy NonprofitsIRS Classifications

• 501(c)(3) Public Charities: Can engage in limited lobbying and nonpartisan advocacy on public policy issues[1][2][3].
• 501(c)(4) Social Welfare Organizations: Can engage in unlimited lobbying and some political activity, provided it is not their primary purpose[1][4][3].

Examples of Public Policy Nonprofit Types

• Advocacy Organizations: Work to influence legislation, public opinion, and government policy.
• Think Tanks/Research Institutes: Conduct research and provide policy analysis and recommendations.
• Coalitions/Alliances: Bring together multiple organizations to advocate for shared policy goals.
• Community Action Groups: Focus on local or regional policy change and civic engagement[5][6][7][8].

Summary Table: Key Categories

These categories help regulators, funders, and the public understand the primary mission and activities of nonprofits working in the public policy arena[6][7][8].

Sources [1] Comparison of 501(c)(3) and 501(c)(4) Permissible Activities https://afj.org/resource/comparison-of-501c3-and-501c4-permissible-activities/ [2] 501(c)(3) Organizations: Political Activity and Lobbying https://www.bairdholm.com/blog/501c3-organizations-political-activity-and-lobbying/ [3] Rules Governing Nonprofits and Political Activity: A Brief Overview https://www.urban.org/urban-wire/rules-governing-nonprofits-and-political-activity-brief-overview [4] What are the rules for nonprofit organizations: Boards and governance https://www.boardeffect.com/blog/rules-non-profit-organizations-boards-governance/ [5] What Are NGOs? Understanding Their Purpose in Public Policy https://pluralpolicy.com/blog/what-are-ngos/ [6] IRS Activity Codes – National Center for Charitable Statistics https://nccs.urban.org/publication/irs-activity-codes [7] National Taxonomy of Exempt Entities (NTEE) Codes https://nccs.urban.org/project/national-taxonomy-exempt-entities-ntee-codes [8] National Taxonomy of Exempt Entities – Core Codes (NTEE-CC … https://www.foundationsearch.com/Assistance/Help-NTEE.aspx [9] Public Policy Agenda | National Council of Nonprofits https://www.councilofnonprofits.org/public-policy-agenda [10] Public Policy | National Council of Nonprofits https://www.councilofnonprofits.org/trends-and-policy-issues/public-policy [11] How the IRS Defines Charitable Purpose – Foundation Group® https://www.501c3.org/how-the-irs-defines-charitable-purpose/ [12] Exploring Different Types of Public Policy – SPP Blog https://publicpolicy.pepperdine.edu/blog/posts/exploring-different-types-of-public-policy.htm [13] Exempt organization types | Internal Revenue Service https://www.irs.gov/charities-non-profits/exempt-organization-types [14] Lobbying | Internal Revenue Service https://www.irs.gov/charities-non-profits/lobbying [15] What is Public Policy Advocacy? Types and Examples – Quorum https://www.quorum.us/public-affairs-dictionary/public-policy-advocacy/ [16] Exemption requirements – 501(c)(3) organizations – IRS https://www.irs.gov/charities-non-profits/charitable-organizations/exemption-requirements-501c3-organizations [17] Engaging in Public Policy for Nonprofits – Our State of Generosity https://ourstateofgenerosity.org/how_to/engaging-in-public-policy-for-nonprofit-organizations/ [18] [PDF] Nonprofits: A Public Policy Tool for the Promotion of Community … https://johannes-eichstaedt.squarespace.com/s/2021_JPRAT_Nonprofits_A-Public-Policy-Tool.pdf [19] Charities and nonprofits | Internal Revenue Service https://www.irs.gov/charities-and-nonprofits [20] What Are the Different Types of 501(c)(3) Organizations? – BoardEffect https://www.boardeffect.com/blog/what-are-the-different-types-of-501c3-organizations/ [21] 4. TYPES OF PUBLIC POLICY | Public-policy textbook https://open.maricopa.edu/pad100/chapter/7-types-of-public-policy-public-policy-textbook/ [22] The Public Policy Doctrine and 501(c)(3) Organizations https://www.congress.gov/crs-product/IF12788 [23] [PDF] A Primer on the Policy Making Role of Nonprofit Organizations https://marxe.baruch.cuny.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2020/04/Casey_UnderstandingAdvocacyaPrimeronthePolicyMakingRoleofNonoprofitOrganizations.pdf [24] NTEE – icann https://www.icann.org/tlds/org/applications/dotorgfoundation/docs/ntee.html [25] Understanding NTEE Codes | mySidewalk Knowledge Center https://help.mysidewalk.com/en/articles/11609626-understanding-ntee-codes [26] Determine your foundation classification | Internal Revenue Service https://www.irs.gov/charities-non-profits/determine-your-foundation-classification [27] Understanding Nonprofit NTEE Codes: A Comprehensive Guide https://www.jitasagroup.com/jitasa_nonprofit_blog/nonprofit_ntee_codes/ [28] 501(c)(3) organization – Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/501(c)(3)_organization [29] NTEE Codes: Categorizing Nonprofits for Better Understanding https://www.instrumentl.com/blog/ntee-codes-for-nonprofits [30] Types of Advocacy Groups – OpenSecrets https://www.opensecrets.org/527s/types.php [31] Understanding NTEE Codes: A Complete Guide for Nonprofits https://bankingcrowded.com/all-blogs/ntee-codes/ [32] [PDF] INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-tege/p4838.pdf [33] Social welfare organizations | Internal Revenue Service https://www.irs.gov/charities-non-profits/other-non-profits/social-welfare-organizations [34] Frequently Asked Questions · National Center for Charitable Statistics https://urbaninstitute.github.io/nccs/faq/

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