Abstract: The subject of the study is public opinion about the activities of non-profit organizations. The third sector in modern conditions of social development plays a key role in social support for citizens. Low awareness of the work of NPOs, as well as a low level of trust on the part of the population, do not fully allow non-profit organizations to be actively involved in solving social problems in the region, to reveal the possibilities of effectively compensating for imperfections in public services, and to increase self-sufficiency and self-employment of the population. The purpose of the study was to study the perception of the activities of non-profit organizations by society, as well as to compare the results in different regions of the Russian Federation. The study was carried out in two stages. At the first stage, the results of a survey of citizens of Russian regions (Irkutsk region, Republic of Buryatia) about their ideas and perceptions of the activities of non-profit public organizations were analyzed. At the second stage, an analysis of similar studies in other territories was carried out. Based on the study, the following conclusions can be drawn: the study showed that, in general, the population of the studied regions of the Russian Federation is aware of the activities of non-profit organizations, however, the lowest level was identified among residents of the Irkutsk region, while residents of the Republic of Buryatia and Khanty-Mansi Autonomous Okrug-Yugra showed higher awareness. It should be noted that the surveyed residents more often use «social networks» as sources of information about the ongoing work of NPOs. Based on the results of the analysis, a list of recommendations was formulated for the management of non-profit organizations.