Independent Sector | 10,659 followers on LinkedIn. We are the national membership organization that connects, strengthens, and advocates for nonprofits and philanthropies. | Independent Sector is the national membership organization that connects, strengthens, and advocates for nonprofits and philanthropies. Our vision is a charitable sector that is healthy, trusted, and equitable and helps all people in the United States thrive in a vibrant civil society and just democracy. Independent Sector formed in 1980 when Coalition of National Voluntary Organizations and the National Council on Philanthropy merged into one umbrella organization to help promote sensible national policies and communicate the value of a strong and unified charitable community.