NGOs exist in many different forms and are called different things in various parts of the world. While it is good to know what these organisations are referred to worldwide, the names and differences in names are not as important as the purpose these organisations serve - to provide services that are beneficial to the general public.
Let's explore the varying names and structures of NGOs globally.
NGO - Many still refer to NGOs as only the large federations such as Red Cross, Salvation Army, that are internationally known to provide services to the poor...
Charities - the term charities is used widely across the UK and Europe for most organisations of a non-profit nature. They may vary in size, ranging from the very small to very large
CBOs - Community Based Organizations (CBOs) are usually referred to as the smaller organizations that are created and run by members of the community to aid in the development of the community members and the community as a whole. There has been recent adjustment to the term CBO to specify the type such as CBYO, which is Community Based Youth Organizations, those that are created, run by and provide services for youth and youth development within the community.
Grassroots Organisations - the term Grassroots is often used to refer to those Non-Profit Organizations that operate within a specific community but with less formalities than others such as CBOs. Grassroot Organizations are made up of the "common" or "ordinary" individuals with a common purpose and are usually found within the agricultural or rural areas of a country.
Non-Profit Organisations - this term is used to refer to an organization with a formal structure, registered and identified within a country or territory to provide services to the public or other beneficiaries and does not focus on generating profit. NPOs are often exempted from government taxes and do not pay dividends to directors, officers or members from the organization's income.
