This document discusses definitions and conceptualizations of the "third sector", which refers broadly to entities that fall between the private/for-profit sector and the public/state sector. It outlines several terms used to describe third sector organizations, such as non-profits, charities, social enterprises, and civil society groups. While there is no single agreed upon definition, the document discusses some common characteristics of third sector organizations, such as being non-governmental, non-profit distributing, and principally reinvesting any surpluses to further social objectives. Whether the third sector constitutes a clearly defined and distinct "sector" is debated, as boundaries between sectors are increasingly blurred.

1. Karl Wilding Honorary Senior Visiting Fellow, Cass Business School October 2007 Identifying and mapping the ‘third’ sector What are the set of entities we are talking about and how do we describe them?

7. Deakin’s triangle Market/Private Sector Informal Sector (Individual/family relationships) State Sector Voluntary Sector Deakin (1996), Meeting the challenge of change: voluntary action in to the 21 st century. Adapted from A. Evers (1995)

8. Third Sector, the state and the market The State (Public Agencies) The Market (Private Firms) The Community (Households, Families) Associations (Voluntary/non-profit Organisations) Non-profit For-profit Formal Informal Public Private T h i r d S e c t o r Key: Mixed Organisations/ Institutions: Source: Evers & Laville, 2004