Analysis
NAICS 81331 is the 2022 NAICS industry for social advocacy organizations, part of 8133 (Social Advocacy Organizations). Census lists 34 example activities under it in the official index.
Between 2018 and 2023 the number of establishments grew 16% and employment rose 16%. The 2018 count used NAICS 2017, so part of a large move can come from codes being redefined rather than from businesses opening or closing.
Census lists 8 related activities that belong elsewhere, most often in 81341, 81393, 81291 and 5411. Businesses that do several things are classified by their primary activity, the one that generates the most value, so check those boundaries before settling on this code.
County Business Patterns counts 21,255 US establishments in this code in 2023, employing 214,947 people at an average annual payroll of $66,154 per employee (45th percentile of national industries). 57% of the establishments have fewer than five employees, which is close to the national mix.
Across its national industries Census lists 34 index entries; typical ones are associations for retired persons, advocacy, animal rights organizations and accident prevention associations.
It splits into 3 more detailed codes. The largest by establishments is 813319 (Other Social Advocacy Organizations) with 8,843.
Official definition
This industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in promoting a particular cause or working for the realization of a specific social or political goal to benefit a broad or specific constituency. These organizations may solicit contributions and offer memberships to support these goals.
Illustrative Examples:
Community action advocacy organizations Firearms advocacy organizations Conservation advocacy organizations Human rights advocacy organizations Environmental advocacy organizations Wildlife preservation organizations
Source: US Census Bureau, NAICS 2022 Manual.
Not this code if…
| The business mainly does | Use instead |
|---|---|
| Promoting the civic and social interests of their members | 81341 Civic and Social Organizations |
| Promoting the interests of organized labor and union employees | 81393 Labor Unions and Similar Labor Organizations |
| Operating animal shelters | 81291 Pet Care (except Veterinary) Services |
| Providing legal services for social advocacy organizations | 5411 Legal Services |
| Providing community action services, such as community action services agencies | 62419 Other Individual and Family Services |
| Nature preserves or conservation areas | 71219 Nature Parks and Other Similar Institutions |
| Government establishments primarily engaged in administering, overseeing, and managing governmental ecological restoration programs | 92411 Administration of Air and Water Resource and Solid Waste Management Programs |
| Government establishments primarily engaged in administering conservation programs | 92412 Administration of Conservation Programs |
Index entries (34)
- Associations for retired persons, advocacy
- Animal rights organizations
- Accident prevention associations