What is an NGO?
Non-Governmental Organization is full form of the NGO. NGO is any non-profit, voluntary group of individuals founded to fix the issue of social structure, children, the poor, the environment, etc. NGOs work for socioeconomic improvement and empowerment. NGO is not a non-government organization and general revenue corporate.
NGO Definition
A non-governmental organization is a non-profit group that functions independently of any government. NGO is also known as the non-profit organization (NPO). It can be organized at Neighborhood, City, and National or International level. NGOs are managed by no one and are unable to allocate income or profits by distributions as such. Whatever money they can get from their operations will be invested back or invested in suitable non-profit programs. In any instance, definitions of what actually constitutes an NGO tend to vary.
Basic Concepts of NGO
NGOs perform various roles and take very different shapes and forms within and across different country contexts. It is probably hard to say how many NGOs there are in the country since there are no comprehensive or reliable statistics.
The importance of International NGOs in the world has been highlighted more than ever. The organization without borders concept has given a new meaning to the concept of an NGO. Just like interests associated with multinational corporations force states to alter their policies, the fieldwork done by NGOs in different countries represents their importance as well.
Some measures put the figure at one NGO are an extremely diverse group of organizations, which can make meaningful generalization very difficult. NGOs play various roles and take very different shapes and forms within and across different country contexts. NGOs may be formal or informal, large or small, bureaucratic or flexible.
How to start an NGO?
Check below the steps how to start an NGO:
Step 1: Decide the purpose and mission of your NGO.
Step 2: Set up the board of leaders/members.
Step 3: Select the name of your NGO.
Step 4: Articles of Association / Memorandum Articles of incorporation.
Step 5: Get your NGO registered.
Step 6: Start collecting funds.
Step 7: Build a wide network.
Basic requirement and eligibility for NGO
- The interested organizations should be registered under relevant Acts/Rules.
- They should have their office network in the district where they apply to be the run NGO.
- They must have a strong appearance and a good track record in the district.
- They should have had to experience a related nature of projects handled in the past.
- They should have at least Rs. 10 lakhs turn over per year
- They should have much qualified and experienced staff who are capable of handling technical and managerial problems.
- Sensitivity towards group action resolution and equity for the marginalized community. Visit NGO consultancy to gain knowledge for registration of the organization.
Types of NGOs
Several variations of the NGO acronym exist, including:
- INGO: An international NGO. For example, Oxfam.
- QUANGO: Chiefly a British term, often derogatory. Its senior officials are appointed by the government.
- BINGO: A big international NGO like the Red Cross. These are also called business-friendly NGOs.
- ENGO: An environmental NGO like Greenpeace.
- RINGO: It is a religious international NGO such as Catholic Relief Services.
- CSO: A civil society organization like Amnesty International.
- GONGO: It is a government-organized organization such as the International Union for Conservation of Nature.
NGO Types by Level of Operation:
1. International Level NGOs
International NGOs range from secular agencies such as Save the Children organizations, UNDP, UNICEF, OXFAM, CARE, Ford, and Rockefeller Foundations to religiously motivated groups. Their activities vary from chiefly funding local NGOs, institutions, and projects, to implementing the projects themselves.
2. National Level NGOs
National NGOs involve organizations such as the Red Cross, YWCAs/YMCAs, professional organizations, etc. Some of these have state branches and help local NGOs.
3. State Level NGOs
State-Level Organizations include organizations such as the Rotary commerce and industry, coalitions of business, ethnic or educational groups, and associations of community organizations. Some exist for other ideas and become engaged in helping the poor as one of many activities, while others are created for the specific purpose of helping the poor.
4. Purpose Level NGOs
When an organization performs its vision and mission, it needs objectives or specific milestones with a specific timeline for achieving a goal.
Top 10 NGOs of India
Check below the list of top 10 NGOs of India:
1. Bharti Foundation
Bharti Foundation, the social initiative set up by Bharti Enterprises, has several programs to help underprivileged children and young people of India realize their potential.
Their flagship initiative, called Satya Bharti School Program, gives free quality education to children in rural areas, with a special focus on the girl child. Their Satya Bharati Quality Support Program intends to improve the overall schooling experience of children.
2. Bhumi
Bhumi is one of India’s largest independent youth volunteer non-governmental organizations. It works on various causes aimed at building a more influential, equal, and socially conscious society.
They have two programs called Ignite and Catalyse.
Ignite is Bhumi’s supplementary education plan for needy children allowing important life skills.
Catalyze holds civic initiatives that hold volunteers in causes like health, animal welfare, the environment, etc.
3. Cuddles
Most of the children fighting cancer lose this battle because of malnutrition. There are 50,000 children are diagnosed with cancer every year in India, but only 22% of them make it to hospitals for treatment. 80% of them are malnourished at diagnosis.
That’s why Cuddles Foundation exists. Cuddles Foundation is India’s only NGO assisting underprivileged children to fight cancer with better food and nutrition. Started five years ago in Mumbai, it gives nutrition support to over 18,000 children with cancer in 21 hospitals across 13 cities in India.
4. Goonj
Goonj is Founded in 1999 by Anshu Gupta. Goonj has established a country-wide network to provide clothes and other underutilized urban materials to rural areas, communities, and disaster-struck areas.
GOONJ began with 67 personal clothes, and today deals with more than 1000 tonnes of material distributed across 21 states of India.
5. HelpAge India
HelpAge India Founded in 1960, HelpAge aims to improve the quality of life of the disadvantaged elderly citizens in India. It works on various fronts such as quality healthcare, universal Pension, action against elder abuse. It also supports elder-friendly policies and their implementation.
6. Ipas Development Foundation (IDF)
IDF works towards preventing and managing unwanted pregnancies. They also spread awareness about contraceptives in rural areas and work towards ending deaths and disability due to pregnancies.
7. LEPRA India
It is the world’s highest prevalence of leprosy is in India. Last year 63% of the world’s 214,000 newly diagnosed leprosy cases were in India and it is expected that two million more are living with the long-term effects of the disease.
This society is still heavily biased against people with leprosy.
There are over 20 laws that discriminate against people with leprosy, such as leprosy being grounds for divorce and people visibly disabled by leprosy are prevented from traveling on trains.
8. Make A Difference (MAD)
Make A Difference serves towards empowering children in orphanages and shelters. Through education, the organization assures that these disadvantaged children are economically independent to accomplish their goals.
Their volunteers commit a year and spend between 2 and 10 hours every week mentoring, teaching, and interacting with children to ensure that they get the support and care they need during childhood.
9. Make Love Not Scars
Every year, India witnesses an approximated 1,000 reported acid attacks. Analyzing the attacks that go unreported, this number would be a lot higher.
So far, they’ve rehabilitated over 70 survivors in their rehabilitation center based in New Delhi.
10. Smile Foundation
Smile Foundation was established in the year 2002 to bring positive change in the lives of underprivileged children, their families, and communities.
Smile Foundation has welfare projects are in four main areas that are skills training, healthcare for families, child education, and livelihood for youth, and community engagement through women empowerment.
Their flagship program called Mission Education focuses on the education and nutrition of underprivileged children across 25 states.
Top 10 NGOs of the World
Check below the list of top 10 NGOs of World:
1. BRAC
This prestigious NGO has renowned for being the biggest NGO in the world. Originally concerned with sustainability projects and micro-financing in Bangladesh, BARC has extended its area of services to many other countries of the world as well.
The Wikimedia Foundation
The Wikimedia Foundation a unique kind of international NGO. One that holds in information’s importance rather than the profits that can be generated by selling it.
2. Transparent Hands
Transparent Hands is one of the biggest crowdfunding platforms in Pakistan and the top international NGOs in the World. Donors from all over the world give their donations using the NGOs’ web portal. The donations raised are used to give basic medical amenities as well as support for advanced surgical procedures to those who belong to the underprivileged section of the community. All affairs conducted at Transparent Hands reflect transparency.
3. Acumen Fund
This New York-based organization is just an angel investor, but one with wings big enough to hide several start-ups under its shelter.
4. Danish Refugee Council
Since World War Two shook the world and made a massive refugee problem, the Danish Refugee Council is on the move. It gives legal support to refugees as well as protects their fundamental human rights.
5. Partners in Health
This is one of the most important global health NGOs. Originated from Haiti and now serving in several countries of the world, this INGO believes in poverty alleviation. Once a patient has enough funds, people can afford an expensive medical treatment with much more ease.
6. Ceres
There are numerous NGOs that have realized the gravity of climate change, both at the local and international levels. One such INGO is Ceres. Core problems addressed at Ceres include sustainability, water scarcity, bioenergy, and a cleaner environment.
7. CARE International
The portfolio of services is quite a distinct one, but the main concerns addressed at CARE INGO involve global poverty and female empowerment. Now, CARE is operational in more than 84 countries in the world.
8.Médecins Sans Frontières
Giving medical aid to those who need it on an immediate basis is the key role of this INGO. But, its strength to bear witness is what sets it apart from many other INGOs providing similar sort of relief and rescue services.
9. Cure Violence
Domestic violence has many forms, though the fights that end up with the use of arms are the worst ones. Cure Violence is an NGO that is trying hard to reduce the intensity of interpersonal violence, on a global level.
10. Mercy Corps
Concerned with relief and recovery programs, Mercy Corps is active in more than 41 countries as of presently. The organization pledges to speed up the process of recovery after a natural calamity or disaster of any sort. Long-term rehab of the rescued people is the ultimate goal.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1. What are the problems faced by NGOs?
Ans. Problems faced by NGOs are
- Lack of Funds. An NGO’s goal doesn’t lie in accomplishing a project alone. …
- No Strategic Planning. At times, many bright ideas can come to a place but it can also cause confusion and stray you away from the initial goal. …
- Absence of networking. …
- Lack of maintenance.
Q2. What are examples of NGOs?
Ans. Some of the most well-known NGOs are:
- Bhumi
- Cuddles
- Goonj
- Smile Foundation
- BRAC
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