If you operate a nonprofit organization and need your NAICS code, here is your answer right away.
The most common NAICS code for a civic or social nonprofit is 813410, classified under Civic and Social Organizations in the Other Services sector. However, there is a major catch you need to understand: “nonprofit” is an IRS tax status, not an industry type. Because the government categorizes businesses by what they do, not how they are taxed, you must classify your nonprofit based on its actual daily activities. This page covers the relevant codes so you can identify the one that fits.
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| NAICS Code | 813410 |
| Industry Title | Civic and Social Organizations |
| Sector | 81 (Other Services except Public Administration) |
| Industry Group | 813 |
| Last Updated | 2022 NAICS Edition (Next NAICS Edition will come in 2027) |
What Does NAICS Code 813410 Cover?
According to the official 2022 NAICS data, code 813410 covers establishments primarily engaged in organizing and promoting civic, social, or fraternal activities.
In simple terms, this code applies to membership-based organizations and community groups that exist to bring people together for a shared civic, social, or recreational purpose rather than providing direct social services. For nonprofits, this includes:
- Fraternal lodges and beneficiary societies
- Veterans’ organizations (like the VFW or American Legion)
- Social clubs and hobbyist groups
- Alumni associations and Greek-letter sororities/fraternities
- Civic improvement associations and community pride organizations
The important distinction here is civic and social membership. This code covers organizations that exist for networking, fellowship, or community betterment, but it does not cover organizations that directly operate to provide human services like shelter or food.
Does My Nonprofit Qualify for Code 813410?
Your nonprofit qualifies for NAICS code 813410 if:
- You operate a membership-based civic, social, or fraternal organization
- Your main activities involve organizing community events, meetings, or social programs for your members
- Your primary function is not direct charitable service delivery
Your business may not qualify if:
- You are a church, synagogue, mosque, or other religious organization, which falls under 813110 (Religious Organizations) instead
- You are a foundation that primarily raises money to grant to other charities, which falls under 813211 (Grantmaking Foundations) instead
- You are an advocacy group focused on human rights or social change, which falls under 813311 (Human Rights Organizations) or 813319 (Other Social Advocacy Organizations) instead
- You operate a homeless shelter, food bank, or crisis center providing direct human services, which falls under 624190 (Other Individual and Family Services) instead
- You operate a nonprofit hospital or health clinic, which falls under Sector 62 (Health Care and Social Assistance) instead
- You operate a nonprofit school or university, which falls under Sector 61 (Educational Services) instead
When your nonprofit sits between two codes, always classify based on whichever activity generates the majority of your revenue or consumes the majority of your organizational resources.
Where Will You Need This Code?
Your NAICS code appears in more places than most nonprofit leaders expect. Here is where your specific code will be required:
- State Charitable Registration. Most state Attorneys General require your NAICS code when you register your nonprofit for charitable solicitation purposes. It helps the state track what type of organizations are operating within their borders.
- Grant Applications. When applying for federal, state, or private foundation grants, the application will ask for your NAICS code. Funders use this to categorize their grantmaking portfolios.
- IRS Form 990. The Internal Revenue Service requires a NAICS code on your annual information return (Form 990, 990-EZ, or 990-PF) for statistical tracking of the nonprofit sector.
- Business Bank Accounts. Banks require a NAICS code when opening a commercial checking account for your nonprofit, even though you have tax-exempt status.
- Business Insurance. Insurance providers use your NAICS code to calculate your General Liability and Directors & Officers (D&O) insurance premiums.
813410 in the NAICS Hierarchy
Every NAICS code sits inside a structured hierarchy. Here is exactly where 813410 fits:
| Level | Code | Title |
|---|---|---|
| Sector | 81 | Other Services (except Public Administration) |
| Subsector | 813 | Religious, Grantmaking, Civic, Professional, and Similar Organizations |
| Industry Group | 8134 | Civic and Social Organizations |
| NAICS Industry | 81341 | Civic and Social Organizations |
| National Industry | 813410 | Civic and Social Organizations |
Frequently Asked Questions
Why isn’t there a single “Nonprofit” NAICS code?
The NAICS system was designed to track economic activity—what an organization actually does to produce value. “Nonprofit” is an IRS tax designation (like 501(c)(3)) that dictates how you are taxed, not what you do. A nonprofit hospital and a for-profit hospital both provide healthcare, so they both use a healthcare NAICS code. A nonprofit theater and a for-profit theater both put on shows, so they both use an arts NAICS code.
What is the NAICS code for a church or religious organization?
If your primary activity is advancing a religion, holding worship services, or operating a religious community, your correct code is 813110 (Religious Organizations). The federal government separates religious activities from other civic and social advocacy.
What is the NAICS code for a nonprofit that gives away grants?
If your organization’s primary purpose is to raise funds and distribute grants to other 501(c)(3) organizations (like a community foundation or a private family foundation), you use 813211 (Grantmaking Foundations).
What if my nonprofit provides direct services like a food bank or homeless shelter?
If your organization’s primary activity is feeding the hungry, housing the homeless, or providing direct individual or family social services, you do not use the 813 sector codes. You use 624190 (Other Individual and Family Services). This places you in the same statistical category as for-profit social workers and family counselors, because the economic activity—providing direct human services—is the same.
Does a nonprofit school or hospital use Sector 813?
No. Educational institutions use codes in Sector 61 (e.g., 611110 for elementary schools or 611310 for colleges), and hospitals use codes in Sector 62 (e.g., 622110 for general medical and surgical hospitals). They do not use 813 codes just because they are tax-exempt.