What is an NGO?

NGO’s are groups and institutions that are entirely or largely independent of government and have primarily humanitarian or cooperative rather than commercial objectives. It is an organization of private individuals who believe in certain basic social principles and who structure their activities to bring about development to communities that they are servicing. Social development organization assisting in empowerment of people.

• Charitable -includes NGOs with activities directed toward meeting the needs of the poor -distribution of food, clothing or medicine; provision of housing, transport, schools etc. Such NGOs may also undertake relief activities during a natural or man-made disaster.
• Service -includes NGOs with activities such as the provision of health, family planning or education services in which the programme is designed by the NGO and people are expected to participate in its implementation and in receiving the service.

• Community-based Organizations (CBOs) arise out of people's own initiatives. These can include sports clubs, women's organizations, neighborhood organizations, religious or educational organizations.
• Citywide Organizations include organizations such as the Rotary or lion's Club, chambers of commerce and industry, coalitions of business, ethnic or educational groups and associations of community organizations. Some exist for other purposes, and become involved in helping the poor as one of many activities, while others are created for the specific purpose of helping the poor.
• National NGOs include organizations such as the Red Cross, YMCAs/YWCAs,
• International NGOs like OXFAM, CARE, Ford and Rockefeller Foundations

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