This research guide is designed as a starting point for locating primary and secondary resources relevant to the nonprofit and philanthropic sectors in the United States, including pertinent associations, management resources, grants, and fundraising. There is a page devoted material on starting a nonprofit, as well as a page of consumer research resources for locating information on nonprofits, including details concerning the IRS Form 990. Resources cited include print, databases, datasets, statistics, online resources, and Library of Congress materials.

This is not meant to be a comprehensive guide, but rather to provide credible starting points for research on the nonprofit sector. It is important to note that each research project will be different, and it is not possible to include every possible resource and industry that may be of interest; but the resources included here should provide a foundation for those seeking an understanding of this field on which to conduct further research.