The National Council of Nonprofits (NCN) is the largest nonprofit network in the United States,[1] with 25,000 nonprofit members and 52 state nonprofit network subsidiaries.[2] It engages in public policy work and conducts professional development for nonprofit members, providing nonprofits with research and assets to assist their operations.[3]
The National Council of Nonprofits was established in 1990 to create a unified voice for nonprofit organizations across North America.[4] Initially, NCN aimed to connect nonprofits through a national platform focused on advocacy and resource sharing.[5][6] Over time, NCN expanded its partnerships to include state associations to address region-specific nonprofit challenges, offering a more localized approach to its support and advocacy efforts.[7] Through these expansions, NCN created a federated structure to coordinate national objectives with state-level initiatives, attempting to balance centralized support with local responsiveness.
Tim Delaney is the acting CEO of NCN and has served in the role for 16 years.[9] In January 2025, National Low Income Housing Coalition CEO and public sector veteran Diane Yentel will take Delaney's place.[10][11]
The National Council of Nonprofits has an integrated three-part approach to its work, aiming to "champion, connect, inform."[12]
It has reported a newsletter subscriber base of 100,000 recipients and claimed a significant role in shaping nonprofits' access to PPP loans during the COVID-19 pandemic.[7]
The network offers various professional development programs, including training and webinars focused on governance, financial management, closure, and compliance.[13] It hosts multiple webinars each year, increasing its revenue through webinar sponsorship fees of up to $10,000.[14] The Federal Reserve and FEMA have sought its support in the past.[12][15] Its analysis and work has been cited in various prominent publications.[16][17][18][19][20] NCN's programs are aimed at improving leadership and operational capacity within its partnered organizations.[21]