The Third Sector
Step Into Learning CIC is a ‘third sector’ organisation, but what does that mean?
The ‘third sector’ is an umbrella term for various types of organisations that belong to neither the public sector (the state) nor the private sector (profit-making private enterprise). You may have heard other terms used to describe third sector organisations – the voluntary sector, non-governmental organisations, non-profit organisations – particularly in public discussions around policy and politics. These terms all represent organisations that share three common elements:
Independent from Government
Although they often work with or alongside government agencies and may receive government funding or commissions, third sector organisations are separate from the Government
Non-Profit
Third Sector organisations raise funds and generate financial surpluses to invest in social, environmental or cultural objectives. They do not seek to make profits as an end in its own right
Values-driven
Third Sector organisations pursue specific goals which are often aligned with particular social and political perspectives. They may be associated with or work with political parties, but a political party is not a third sector organisation
