Programs

Programs are the core of “what you do.” Nonprofit programs and services are the core activities through which an organization serves its community and affects the world.

Offerings:

Program Development is the forward-looking creation of a new set of activities or services in pursuit of the mission. Program Development includes program design, resource analysis, and budget development. The work product is a written

Program Analysis is the understanding, clarifying, and assessing an existing program or program concept, generally in the interest of improvement or refinement. This can be especially helpful if you have a new concept that is struggling to find resonance with funders, or are considering moving away from a traditional program/asset and wish to ensure its role and value is fully articulated.

Program Workplanning is the setting of an accountability structure and timeline for the duration of the program. This can be especially helpful for organizations whose deliverables are abstract, or where

Program Administration is the full operation of a program as a for-profit service provider to the nonprofit entity. This is sometimes done for efficiency and cost-savings, especially for limited-term/seasonal programs at organizations with limited HR capacity.

Common Types of Nonprofit Programs and Services:

• Arts, Culture, and Humanities: Visual arts, performing arts, museums, historical societies, media & communications, humanities organizations.

• Education: K-12 education, higher education, adult/continuing education, libraries, vocational training, student services.

• Environmental Quality Protection and Beautification: Pollution control, natural resource conservation, botanical services, environmental education.

• Health (General and Rehabilitative): Hospitals, health treatment facilities, reproductive health, rehabilitative services, public health programs.

• Crime and Legal Related: Crime prevention, correctional facilities, rehabilitation services for offenders, legal services, protection against abuse.

• Employment and Job Related: Job training, employment assistance, vocational rehabilitation.

• Agriculture, Food, and Nutrition: Food service and distribution, nutrition programs.

• Housing and Shelter: Housing development, search assistance, temporary housing, housing support services.

• Human Services: Children's and youth services, family services, personal social services, emergency assistance, residential care, services for specific populations (e.g., elderly, disabled).

• Community Improvement and Capacity Building: Community/neighborhood development, economic development, nonprofit management support.

• Civil Rights, Social Action, and Advocacy: Civil rights organizations for specific groups, intergroup relations, voter education.

• Philanthropy, Voluntarism, and Grantmaking: Grantmaking foundations, voluntarism promotion.

• Sports, Recreation, Leisure, and Athletics: Recreational camps, physical fitness facilities, amateur sports leagues.

• Science and Technology: Research institutes, engineering and technology services.

• Religious and Spiritual Development: Churches, mosques, temples, and other religious organizations.

For more information on the types of nonprofit programs, you can explore:

• Types of Nonprofits: Our Focus - Indiana Nonprofits Project

• 20 Types of Nonprofits: Complete Guide To 501(c) Organizations (2025) - Shopify

• The 29 Different Types of Nonprofit Organizations - Transparent Hands

• What Are the 4 Types of Non Profit Organizations? - Vyde

• Types of Nonprofits Explained: A Complete Guide - UpCounsel