What is a Section 509(a)(3) Supporting Organization? Can a Section 501(c)(3) organization avoid private foundation status by supporting other than a charity, such as a Section 501(c)(6) organization? Under Title 26 of the Internal Revenue Code, all organizations described in section 501(c)(3) are considered private foundations, unless one of four exceptions applies. See 26 U.S.C. § 509(a)-(a)(4) What Is A Section 509(a)(3) Supporting Organization?