Book excerpt: Clarifies the basic scope, structure, operation, and role of the nonprofit sector in the US, and places it into context in relation to government and the business sector, showing how the position of the nonprofit sector has changed over time. Separate chapters on various subsectors of health care, education, social services, and arts, as well as advocacy, legal services, international aid, and religion, identify the role of the nonprofit sector in each area, compare it to roles played by government and for-profit firms, and highlight recent trends. Includes margins notes and quotes, graphs and charts, and space for notes. For students, journalists, and government officials.