NGO

/ˌˈɛn ˌˈdʒi ˌoʊ/

/ɛndʒiˈʌʊ/

Other forms: NGOS

An NGO is a nonprofit group that's not affiliated with any country's government. The International Red Cross and Doctors Without Borders are both NGOs.

NGO is short for non-governmental organization, a term that was coined by the United Nations in 1945 to distinguish between government and private organizations. Most NGOs are focused on humanitarian or environmental issues, including public health, poverty, and racial justice. Some have paid staff, while others rely mainly on volunteers. Several NGOs have even won the Nobel Peace Prize — most recently, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, in 2007.

Definitions of NGO

1. noun

   an organization that is not part of the local or state or federal government
   synonyms: nongovernmental organization

   examples:

   Greenpeace

   an international organization that works for environmental conservation and the preservation of endangered species

   Markaz-ud-Dawa-wal-Irshad

   a Sunni organization formed in 1989 and based in Pakistan; opposes missionary groups from the United States; has Lashkar-e-Tayyiba as its armed wing

   types:

   AA, Alcoholics Anonymous

   an international organization that provides a support group for persons trying to overcome alcoholism

   Red Cross

   an international organization that cares for the sick or wounded or homeless in wartime

   Salvation Army

   a charitable and religious organization to evangelize and to care for the poor and homeless

   UTN, Umma Tameer-e-Nau

   a nongovernmental organization of Pakistani scientists that has been a supporter of terrorism; has provided information about chemical and biological and nuclear warfare to Osama bin Laden and al-Qaeda and the Taliban

   NT, National Trust

   an organization concerned to preserve historic monuments and buildings and places of historical interest or natural beauty; founded in 1895 and supported by endowment and private subscription

   denomination

   a group of religious congregations having its own organization and a distinctive faith

   CORE, Congress of Racial Equality

   an organization founded by James Leonard Farmer in 1942 to work for racial equality

   citizens committee, committee

   a self-constituted organization to promote something

   foreign mission, mission, missionary post, missionary station

   an organization of missionaries in a foreign land sent to carry on religious work

   communion

   (Christianity) a group of Christians with a common religious faith who practice the same rites

   Protestant denomination

   group of Protestant congregations

   vigilance committee

   a volunteer committee to maintain order where an efficient legal system does not exist

   welcoming committee

   a committee to welcome new residents to a community

   type of:

   organisation, organization

   a group of people who work together