14.1 What is the core sector?
14.2 What is the name of the sector publication?
14.3 What are the current trends in the sector?
The NTEE you identified in Question 2 will allow you to identify the sector (or sectors) in which the organization is operating. The best way to learn about a sector is to consult sector publications, if they are available. You can find these using a general news search or by consulting Web Wire. Industry publications often provide a great deal of information about current trends in the industry, as well as comparative data on the industry’s top players.
Sometimes nonprofits operate in a sector or industry that also includes private sector firms. In these cases you can go to Yahoo Finance, and use the “industry” tab to learn more about the industry in which your firm is located.
UMass Resources (for UMass students only)
CFRA’s MarketScope Advisor provides reports on selected industries and individual firms. IBIS World provide slightly less comprehensive reports but on a much wider variety of industries. Business Insights: Essentials also provides basic information on industries, and Mintel looks specifically at retailing, healthcare, technology and tourism.