Civic & Social Organizations NAICS 813410
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Industry Summary
The 23,260 Civic and social organizations in the US promote the civic and social interests of members. The industry includes a wide range of organizations, including alumni groups, booster clubs, fraternal associations, scouting organizations, PTAs, fraternities and sororities, student associations, and veteran’s organizations. Civic and social groups operate as non-profit organizations and are exempt from federal income taxes.
Membership Affected by Demographic Trends
Because most civic and social groups operate locally, demographic trends in a particular market can greatly affect membership.
Reliance on Contributions
Contributions, gifts, and grants account for about 26% of industry revenue and are the single largest source of funding for civic and social organizations.
Recent Developments
Nov 13, 2025 - New Rules Restrict Participation In Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program
- The US Department of Education (DoE) has finalized restrictions on public service loan forgiveness that could stop some nonprofits and public service organizations from participating in the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program, according to Alabama Media Group. The Public Service Loan Forgiveness program forgives the remaining balance on federal Direct Loans for borrowers who make 120 qualifying monthly payments while working full-time for a qualifying employer. Qualifying employers include government organizations and non-profit organizations. A specific list of ineligible organizations has not been published but restrictions include “supporting terrorism” or harboring undocumented immigrants, according to a DoE news release. At least a dozen states are suing to remove these restrictions.
- President Donald Trump signed an executive order (EO) stating that federal agencies must ensure that political appointees sign off on all grants and that such awards must comply with administration policy. The Improving Oversight of Federal Grantmaking EO requires all agencies to designate a senior political appointee to be responsible for reviewing grants, at both the announcement and award stages, to ensure they are “consistent with agency priorities and the national interest.” The appointee can include subject matter experts in their reviews when warranted. President Trump called on agencies to improve coordination in awarding grants to “promote consistency and eliminate redundancy.” Grants are often written in an overly complicated way, President Trump said, and he instructed agencies to use plain language that minimizes the need for legal and technical expertise from applicants.
- Charitable giving increased in 2024, according to the Growing Power of Giving: An Outlook report from Foundation Source CEO Joe Mrak. Grantmaking organizations like foundations and donor-advised funds experienced the strongest growth as wealthy donors continued to invest in the future of the non-profit sector. Foundation giving was up to 19% of overall giving, crossing into the $100 billion threshold for the second consecutive year.
- Civic and social organization industry employment increased significantly and average wages for nonsupervisory employees decreased significantly during the first seven months of 2025, according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics. Civic and social organization industry sales are forecast to grow at a 4.23% compounded annual rate from 2025 to 2029, comparable the growth of the overall economy, according to Inforum and the Interindustry Economic Research Fund, Inc. Civic and social organizations generate revenue primarily through membership fees, contributions, gifts, grants, and other fundraising programs.
Industry Revenue
Civic & Social Organizations
Industry Structure
Industry size & Structure
A typical civic or social organization operates out of a single location, employs about 16 workers, and generates $922,000 annually.
- The civic and social organization industry consists of 23,260 organizations that employ 364,400 workers and generate about $21.4 billion annually.
- The industry includes a wide range of organizations, including alumni groups, booster clubs, fraternal associations, scouting organizations, PTAs, fraternities and sororities, student associations, and veteran's organizations.
- The industry is highly fragmented; the 50 largest organizations account for just over 15% of industry revenue.
- Large organizations include Freemasons, Boy Scouts, American Legion, and the YMCA.
- A vast majority of civic and social organizations are nonprofit.
Industry Forecast
Industry Forecast
Civic & Social Organizations Industry Growth
Source: Vertical IQ and Inforum
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