Non-governmental organization

A non-governmental organization (NGO) is an organization that is not part of a government and was not founded by states. NGOs are therefore typically independent of governments. Although the definition can technically include for-profit corporations, the term is generally restricted to social, cultural, legal, and environmental advocacy groups having goals that are noncommercial, primarily. NGOs are usually non-profit organizations that gain at least a portion of their funding from private sources. Current usage of the term is generally associated with the United Nations and authentic NGOs are those that are so designated by the UN.

See also

• Attacks on humanitarian workers
• Big International Non-Government Organisation
• Charities
• Civil society
• List of international organizations
• Philanthropy
• Political science
• Quasi-autonomous non-government organisation
• Service club