NAICS 813311 Quarterly Industry Report
Human Rights Organizations
Comprehensive industry research for valuation professionals, business owners, buyers, and lenders
NAICS Code: 813311Sector: Other Services (except Public Administration) (81)Updated: Q1 2026
About This Report
This industry profile for Human Rights Organizations (NAICS 813311) draws on data from the U.S. Census Bureau[5], Bureau of Labor Statistics[8], and IRS[7] tax-exempt organization data. Published by Fair Market Value and updated quarterly, it provides valuation professionals, nonprofit advocacy analysts, and social sector investors with current market data. Additional data is drawn from SBA[9].. All quantitative claims are sourced to publicly verifiable databases.
Industry Snapshot
Key metrics for the human rights organizations industry.
Industry Definition & Overview
Human Rights Organizations (NAICS 813311) encompasses establishments primarily engaged in promoting causes associated with human rights for broad or specific constituencies per the U.S. Census Bureau[4]. Activities include civil rights advocacy and litigation, constitutional rights protection, voter education and registration campaigns, disability rights advocacy, child and elder welfare promotion, anti-discrimination program development, refugee and immigrant assistance, and public education on human rights issues.
Human rights organizations operate across a spectrum from large national advocacy organizations to small community-based groups addressing local civil rights concerns. Organizations such as the ACLU, NAACP, Human Rights Watch, and National Urban League conduct policy advocacy, public education, and strategic litigation to protect constitutional and civil rights. Disability rights organizations advocate for accessibility, employment protections, and independent living supports for people with physical and intellectual disabilities. Voter education and registration organizations work to expand democratic participation through nonpartisan outreach, particularly in underserved communities. Per Census Bureau[5] data, roughly 30,000 human rights organization establishments employ approximately 44,000 workers and generate over $10 billion in combined annual revenue. Revenue comes primarily from individual donations, foundation grants, government contracts for service delivery, and legal fee awards in civil rights litigation.
Human rights organizations are generally exempt from standard SBA[6] size classifications as tax-exempt nonprofit entities. The IRS[7] classifies most human rights organizations as 501(c)(3) or 501(c)(4) entities depending on their lobbying and political activity levels. State attorneys general oversee charitable solicitation compliance and nonprofit governance.
What's Included in This Industry
- Civil rights advocacy and litigation
- Constitutional rights protection programs
- Voter education and registration campaigns
- Disability rights and accessibility advocacy
- Child welfare and protection services
- Elder rights and abuse prevention programs
- Anti-discrimination education and enforcement
- Refugee and immigrant assistance services
- Racial justice and equity programs
- Public interest legal services
NAICS Classification Hierarchy
| Level | Description | Code |
|---|---|---|
| Sector | Other Services (except Public Administration) | 81 |
| Subsector | Religious, Grantmaking, Civic, Professional, and Similar Organizations | 813 |
| Industry Group | Social Advocacy Organizations | 8133 |
| NAICS Industry | Social Advocacy Organizations | 81331 |
| National Industry | Human Rights Organizations | 813311 |
Related NAICS Codes
| Code | Description | Relationship |
|---|---|---|
| 813312 | Environment, Conservation and Wildlife Organizations | Environment, Conservation, and Wildlife Organizations shares the social advocacy sector with human rights organizations, with environmental justice concerns creating overlap when pollution, toxic exposure, and resource access issues disproportionately affect marginalized communities |
| 813319 | Other Social Advocacy Organizations | Other Social Advocacy Organizations pursues social welfare causes that complement human rights advocacy including anti-poverty, housing justice, and criminal justice reform, with social advocacy organizations forming coalitions on intersecting policy issues |
| 813211 | Grantmaking Foundations | Grantmaking Foundations provides philanthropic funding that human rights organizations depend on for program operations, with civil rights and social justice grantmaking representing a major focus area for foundations committed to equity and democratic participation |
| 813219 | Other Grantmaking and Giving Services | Other Grantmaking and Giving Services channels federated campaign contributions to human rights organizations, with community giving programs distributing donor support to civil rights and social justice nonprofits alongside health and education recipients |
| 813110 | Religious Organizations | Religious Organizations pursues social justice missions through faith-based advocacy that aligns with human rights organization goals on issues including racial equality, refugee assistance, and anti-poverty campaigns conducted as expressions of religious values |
| 813410 | Civic and Social Organizations | Civic and Social Organizations operates community membership groups that promote civic participation alongside human rights organizations, with civic engagement and civil rights advocacy sharing objectives around democratic participation and community empowerment |
Geographic Concentration
Top states by share of national establishments.
| # | State | % Est. | Total Est. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | California | 13.4% | 549 |
| 2 | New York | 8.6% | 353 |
| 3 | District of Columbia | 7.3% | 302 |
| 4 | Texas | 5.5% | 225 |
| 5 | Florida | 4.2% | 173 |
| 6 | Pennsylvania | 3.4% | 141 |
| 7 | Washington | 3.1% | 128 |
| 8 | Virginia | 3.0% | 124 |
| 9 | Illinois | 2.9% | 117 |
| 10 | North Carolina | 2.8% | 115 |
% Of Establishments
0%
13%
Source: County Business Patterns, U.S. Census Bureau[3]
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this industry.
What is the NAICS code for civil rights organizations?
NAICS 813311 covers human rights organizations engaged in civil rights advocacy, voter education, disability rights, and constitutional rights protection per the U.S. Census Bureau[4].
How many human rights organizations operate in the U.S.?
Per Census Bureau[5] data, roughly 30,000 human rights organization establishments employ approximately 44,000 workers and generate over $10 billion in combined annual revenue across civil rights, disability, voter, and social justice advocacy.
How are human rights organizations funded?
Revenue comes from individual donations, foundation grants, government contracts for service delivery, legal fee awards in civil rights litigation, and special event fundraising per IRS[7] Form 990 reporting data for advocacy nonprofits.
What is the difference between 501(c)(3) and 501(c)(4)?
Per the IRS[7], 501(c)(3) organizations can receive tax-deductible donations but face restrictions on lobbying activity, while 501(c)(4) social welfare organizations may engage in more legislative advocacy but donations are not tax-deductible for contributors.
What types of advocacy do human rights organizations perform?
Organizations conduct policy advocacy, strategic litigation, voter registration, public education, community organizing, and direct service delivery per Bureau of Labor Statistics[8] industry classification data.
What occupations work in human rights organizations?
Per Bureau of Labor Statistics[8] data, organizations employ attorneys, policy analysts, community organizers, fundraising professionals, communications specialists, program directors, and executive leadership overseeing advocacy strategy.
Are human rights organizations subject to SBA size standards?
Human rights organizations are generally exempt from standard SBA[6] size classifications as tax-exempt nonprofit entities operating outside the federal small business contracting framework designed for for-profit businesses.
What regulatory oversight applies?
State attorneys general oversee charitable solicitation compliance and nonprofit governance, while the IRS[7] monitors tax-exempt status compliance including restrictions on political campaign activity and lobbying expenditure limits for 501(c)(3) organizations.
Sources & References
Government datasets and editorial sources used in this report.
- [1]U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages bls.gov
- [2]U.S. Census Bureau, Economic Census census.gov
- [3]U.S. Census Bureau, County Business Patterns census.gov
- [4]U.S. Census Bureau census.gov
- [5]Census Bureau data.census.gov
- [6]SBA sba.gov
- [7]IRS irs.gov
- [8]Bureau of Labor Statistics bls.gov
- [9]SBA sba.gov
- [10]SBA lending programs sba.gov
- [11]SBA 7(a) loans sba.gov
- [12]504 loans sba.gov
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