Capitalize Specific Organization Names
Capitalization
Rulebase Summary
Capitalize all specific and proper names of associations, boards, centers, clubs, commissions, committees, companies, conventions, councils, departments, hospitals, and schools — American Bar Association, Memorial Hospital, Lincoln High School. The full official name is always capitalized.
Examples
A. I was admitted to memorial hospital on March 5th.
A. I was admitted to Memorial Hospital on March 5th.
The specific name of a hospital is a proper noun — capitalize it.
A. I later transferred to the Hospital across town.
A. I later transferred to the hospital across town.
A generic reference to an institution — without its proper name — stays lowercase.
Transcript Notes
Do not capitalize shortened, generic versions of these titles. In the courtroom, there are often several institutions to which the repeated general word might apply, and capitalizing it serves no useful purpose.
When department describes a unit within a company (research and development department) as compared to the name of an entire organization (Department of Transportation), do not use capitals. Capitalize the full names of groups, associations, committees, companies, and organizations (National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, Greater Cleveland Investment Group). Do not capitalize the words group, association, committee, company, organization when they stand alone.
Capitalize 'board of...' when part of the full name (Meadows Board of Directors, San Diego Board of Education); generally leave it lowercase when standalone. The nature of the case may affect this — when a board is a party to the lawsuit, capitalize it.
Style Guide References (4)
Morson's
BGGP
BGGP
BGGP