Stakeholders should embrace the more accurate and empowering term: the Third Sector

For as long as I can remember, people have tended to describe the work of voluntary, community, and non-profit organisations with one word: charity. While that word is familiar and often well-meaning, it fails to capture the breadth, professionalism, and diversity of the sector. It’s time we moved beyond the old shorthand and embraced the more accurate and empowering term: the Third Sector.

Why “Charity” Isn’t Enough

When we say “charity,” many people immediately think of fundraising buckets, bake sales, or donations to help those in need. While this is a part of what some organisations do, it reduces a whole sector to the idea of giving handouts. In reality, the work of these organisations is much more complex and far-reaching:

• They provide essential services in health, housing, education, and social care.
• They campaign for systemic change and advocate for the rights of marginalised groups.
• They innovate, pilot new approaches, and often deliver services more effectively than the state or private sector.

Using “charity” alone suggests dependency and benevolence. It overlooks the professionalism, expertise, and structural impact these organisations bring to society.

What “Third Sector” Represents

The term Third Sector encompasses the wide range of organisations that are neither government (the public sector) nor businesses (the private sector). It recognises the sector as a key player in society, with its own distinct identity and value. Third Sector organisations:

• Operate with social purpose at their core.
• Reinvest surpluses back into communities.
• Employ skilled professionals and volunteers who drive innovation and change.

By using Third Sector, we highlight not just compassion, but also strategy, resilience, and systemic contribution.

Language Shapes Perception

The words we choose matter. When we call these organisations “charities,” we subtly reinforce outdated ideas of dependency and benevolence. When we say Third Sector, we position them as equal partners in delivering social progress, alongside government and business. This shift in language helps strengthen the case for proper recognition, sustainable funding, and a seat at the table in decision-making.

Moving Forward

Of course, many organisations are legally structured as charities, and the term will never fully disappear. But in our everyday language, we should make the effort to use Third Sector as the umbrella term. It reflects the diversity, professionalism, and systemic role of the sector, rather than narrowing it down to acts of charity.

It’s a small change, but one that could make a big difference in how society understands and values this essential part of our social fabric.