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NGO Handbook



Table of Contents



NGO Overview
Definitions, fundamental nature, classification, types, numbers, history of the NGO sector
NGO Country Profiles
The NGO sector in particular nations
NGO Organization
Mission and vision statements, organizational documents, governing body, human resources
Legal
Types of structures, incorporating and
registering, tax-exempt status
Financial
Operating budget, accounting practices
Fundraising
Sources of funding, foundation grants, grantmaking
Marketing
Overview, marketing strategies, communications, public relations
Project Management
Project management, program evaluation,
impact and risk assessment
Information Management
Information management, Information technology
Networking & Partnerships
Networking, partnering with NGOs, relations with the United Nations
Strategic Planning
Steps in strategic planning, SWOT analysis
NGO Accountability & Ethics
Overview of NGO ethics, codes of ethics and conduct, certification and self-certification programs, NGO ratings, and so forth
How to Start an NGO
Start up funds, organizing documents, establishing a board of directors, funds and fundraising, office management
.
Appendix: Detailed Index

Consult the User's Guide for information on using the wiki software.

Getting started

Welcome to the NGO Handbook

The NGO Handbook is designed to provide leaders of non-governmental organizations (NGOs), as well as scholars and interested researchers, an ever-expanding resource on the Third Sector worldwide. Emphasis in particular is placed on practical information of relevance for the success of NGOs.

The umbrella-term “NGOs” refers to a broad, kaleidoscopic grouping of organizations that can differ considerably in size, resources, organizational level, mission, form, and orientation. This handbook encompasses organizations known variously as NGOs, nonprofits, charities, civil society organizations, third sector organizations, and so forth – essentially any organization that is set up as a not-for-profit organization and has not been established and run by a governmental entity or intergovernmental agreement.

NGOs have surfaced as major players in addressing the serious challenges confronting humanity. In recent decades, the number of NGOs worldwide has increased dramatically, along with a strengthening of their influence and a broadening of their activities. They now impact policies and advance initiatives that once were nearly exclusively the domain of governments and for-profit corporations. This is the “NGO revolution.”

The NGO Handbook is a wiki-based work, which contains carefully selected articles that were written by a team of scholars and NGO practitioners with competence in their subject areas. Each article has carefully undergone an initial editorial review. However, readers can appreciate that, as a wiki-based work that is continually revised by those with approved access, the publishers of this handbook cannot vouch for the accuracy of each entry. Individuals with expertise in a particular area, who would like to be a contributor to the NGO Handbook, are invited to submit their credentials.