NGOs
Private humanitarian groups
NGOs—non-governmental organizations—are private entities that pursue public purposes independent of government control.
The term typically refers to nonprofits working on humanitarian, environmental, or social causes: NGOs delivered food aid to the region, environmental NGOs lobbied against the pipeline.
The designation emphasizes what they're not (governmental) rather than what they are, covering everything from small local charities to massive international organizations like Doctors Without Borders.
Easing of distress
- aidSupport given freely
- disaster responseOrganized aid after catastrophe
- refugeesPeople seeking safety elsewhere
- emergencySerious sudden danger
Red Cross · Doctors Without Borders · UNHCR · food distribution · shelter · medical aid · crisis · evacuation
Organization serving public good
- board of directorsGoverning body of organization
- bylawsOrganization's internal regulations
- transparencyState of being see-through
- accountabilityObligation for one's actions
registration · compliance · charter · mission statement · fiduciary · tax-exempt status · annual report · audit
Advocating to decision-makers
- campaignOrganized effort toward goal
- policyAdopted principle of action
- awarenessState of perceiving reality
- coalitionTemporary alliance for action
legislation · public affairs · stakeholder · testimony · reform · petition · briefing · amendment
Gifts to organizations
- fundraisingSoliciting money for organizations
- grantsAwarded funds for purposes
- endowmentPermanent donated fund
- foundationUnderlying support structure
charitable giving · sponsorship · donor · benefactor · contribution · pledges · gala · crowdfunding
Capacity to endure indefinitely
- microfinanceSmall loans for poor entrepreneurs
- livelihoodsWays people earn money
- empowermentGaining authority or confidence
- infrastructureBasic physical systems
rural development · education programs · healthcare access · sanitation · poverty reduction · community development · USAID · grassroots
Unpaid willing workers
- serviceAid or maintenance
- community engagementActive local participation
- pro bonoFree professional services
- outreachProactive community assistance
Peace Corps · Habitat for Humanity · volunteer abroad · civic participation · mentorship · unpaid work · goodwill · skill sharing
relief
Easing of distress
- aidSupport given freely
- disaster responseOrganized aid after catastrophe
- refugeesPeople seeking safety elsewhere
emergency · Red Cross · Doctors Without Borders · UNHCR · food distribution · shelter · medical aid · crisis · evacuation · displaced persons
nonprofit
Organization serving public good
- board of directorsGoverning body of organization
- bylawsOrganization's internal regulations
- transparencyState of being see-through
accountability · registration · compliance · charter · mission statement · fiduciary · tax-exempt status · annual report · audit · stakeholders
lobbying
Advocating to decision-makers
- campaignOrganized effort toward goal
- policyAdopted principle of action
- awarenessState of perceiving reality
coalition · legislation · public affairs · stakeholder · testimony · reform · petition · briefing · amendment · endorsement
donations
Gifts to organizations
- fundraisingSoliciting money for organizations
- grantsAwarded funds for purposes
- endowmentPermanent donated fund
foundation · charitable giving · sponsorship · donor · benefactor · contribution · pledges · gala · crowdfunding · corporate giving
sustainability
Capacity to endure indefinitely
- microfinanceSmall loans for poor entrepreneurs
- livelihoodsWays people earn money
- empowermentGaining authority or confidence
infrastructure · rural development · education programs · healthcare access · sanitation · poverty reduction · community development · USAID · grassroots · cooperatives
volunteers
Unpaid willing workers
- serviceAid or maintenance
- community engagementActive local participation
- pro bonoFree professional services
outreach · Peace Corps · Habitat for Humanity · volunteer abroad · civic participation · mentorship · unpaid work · goodwill · skill sharing · volunteer coordination
- helpersnurse, helper, volunteer, aide, assistant
- Aid OrganizationsRed Cross, ICRC, UNICEF, UNHCR, IRC
- global healthdisease, pandemic, World Health Organization, medications, pandemics
- humanitarian aidaid, aid organizations, aid workers, disaster relief, aid agencies
- organizationsorganization, organizations, company, companies, club
- philanthropydonations, charity work, donate, give, giving
State-run administrative bodies
state agencies · federal agencies · ministries · public sector · state departments
Bodies enabling collective self-governance
NGOscorporations
Legally incorporated business entities
businesses · private sector · commercial enterprises · multinational corporations · corporate interests