The current status and problems of the voluntary nonprofit sector in American society, the development of voluntary associations and accrediting activities, and changing relationships between the federal government and the voluntary sector are examined, as are varied types of organizations and brief case studies. The current status of the voluntary nonprofit sector varies with the type of group involved, but overall it appears to be growing. Types of nonprofit organizations, and six types of organizational units that represent all types of social, economic and governmental institutions are identified. The following three case studies illustrate the importance of background information in determining the way varied goods and services may be provided: The United States Postal Service, private foundations, and the American Telephone and Telegraph Company. Events that affected the development of voluntary educational associations and the service of accreditation offered by these organizations are addressed. Relationships between the federal government and the voluntary sector have changed significantly since educational accrediting started. Many social and cultural needs that first began as charity or as social causes now are primarily or completely paid for by government. While government money is needed, it brings with it less immunity to political processes and priorities. It is proposed that voluntary nonprofit accreditation has become a high quality and low cost way for state and federal governments to establish the educational quality of institutions. (SW)