Glossary

comprised of self-governing organizations that exist to serve a public benefit and generate social capital. The Voluntary Sector relies heavily on the efforts of volunteers in carrying out its mandate. It is sometimes called the Nonprofit, not-for-profit, or community-based sector, civil society, or the Social Economy, and comprises a broad array of organizations, institutions, agencies and collectives, including charities, cooperatives, religious groups, health, education and social service providers, self-help and mutual aid groups, social justice groups, environmental, cultural, arts, recreation, sports, and professional associations such as chambers of commerce. The term sector refers to all these organizations and their assets, including staff and volunteers.