What is a Supporting Organization?

Image of ropes in various colors tied together in a knot, forming a circle against a plain white background, as a supporting organization holds each as one

A supporting organization is a specific type of public charity. All 501(c)(3) organizations are considered private foundations unless they qualify as public charities. It can be to a nonprofit’s advantage to be a public charity; private foundations are more closely scrutinized, regulated, and taxed than public charities. The thinking that underpins this regulatory framework is that the donating public will “discipline” public charities far more efficiently than government oversight can…