non-governmental
Outside official channels
Non-governmental describes organizations or activities operating independently of government control or funding.
The term appears most often in non-governmental organization (NGO), referring to nonprofits that work on social, humanitarian, or environmental issues: Non-governmental groups provided disaster relief.
The hyphen is standard but sometimes dropped.
Self-directed and free
- privateRestricted to certain parties
- nonpartisanNot aligned politically
- unaffiliatedNot formally connected
- secularNonreligious, worldly
nonprofit · civil society · nonstate · community-based · grassroots · decentralized · self-directed · apolitical
Advocating to decision-makers
- campaigningActively pursuing political support
- policy reformAmending governmental regulations
- awarenessState of perceiving reality
- coalitionTemporary alliance for action
grassroots organizing · public affairs · legislation · petition · testimony · dialogue · endorsement · watchdog
Voluntary aid for others
- donationVoluntary charitable gift
- endowmentPermanent donated fund
- grantmakingDistributing charitable funds
- fundraisingSoliciting money for organizations
foundation · patronage · philanthropist · bequest · legacy · benefactor · trust · sponsorship
Unpaid willing participant
- community serviceUnpaid labor benefiting society
- outreachProactive community assistance
- civic engagementActive citizenship in community
- participationAct of taking part
pro bono · helping · contribution · involvement · commitment · dedication · initiative · mobilization
Support given freely
- reliefEasing of distress
- emergency responseOrganized action during crises
- disaster reliefAssistance following catastrophic events
- refugeesPeople seeking safety elsewhere
crisis intervention · shelter · healthcare · sanitation · food security · famine relief · medicine · development
autonomous
Self-directed and free
- privateRestricted to certain parties
- nonpartisanNot aligned politically
- unaffiliatedNot formally connected
secular · nonprofit · civil society · nonstate · community-based · grassroots · decentralized · self-directed · apolitical · neutral
lobbying
Advocating to decision-makers
- campaigningActively pursuing political support
- policy reformAmending governmental regulations
- awarenessState of perceiving reality
coalition · grassroots organizing · public affairs · legislation · petition · testimony · dialogue · endorsement · watchdog · accountability
charity
Voluntary aid for others
- donationVoluntary charitable gift
- endowmentPermanent donated fund
- grantmakingDistributing charitable funds
fundraising · foundation · patronage · philanthropist · bequest · legacy · benefactor · trust · sponsorship · giving
volunteer
Unpaid willing participant
- community serviceUnpaid labor benefiting society
- outreachProactive community assistance
- civic engagementActive citizenship in community
participation · pro bono · helping · contribution · involvement · commitment · dedication · initiative · mobilization · corps
aid
Support given freely
- reliefEasing of distress
- emergency responseOrganized action during crises
- disaster reliefAssistance following catastrophic events
refugees · crisis intervention · shelter · healthcare · sanitation · food security · famine relief · medicine · development · resilience
non-governmentalgovernmental
Of or relating to authority
state-run · public sector · state-controlled · government · state
non-governmentalofficial
Authority-sanctioned person or status
bureaucratic · administrative · regulatory · constitutional · institutional