Non-GOvernmental organizations

The Oxford Dictionary defines an NGO as a nonprofit organization that operates independently of any government, typically one whose purpose is to address a social or political issue.

Typically, NGOs are humanitarian or aid based groups which go through a regimented process to become established and recognized by local government as legally operating and behaving in a manner that is ethical. 

NGOs do not have commercial or for-profit interest but they may receive funding from a variety of sources as they seek to address variety of concerns and issues within society. NGOs can accept donations from private individuals, for-profit companies, charitable foundations, and governments, whether local, state, federal, or even foreign. As nonprofit entities, they also can charge membership dues and sell goods and services.

NGOs also are interesting in the fact that they can be defined as an NGO in one country based on their mission and activities, but not in others. We have undertaken great care to make sure that we ourselves can operate in as many countries as possible, and that all NGOs we partner with are formally recognized by their country's government. 

The ultimate goal of an NGO is to be involved in a cause, but provide the tools to make the cause become self sustainable and then render the NGO obsolete in its continued involvement and the NGO can move on to other projects to continue to make a difference. 

As a bit of an aside on NGO success, most local NGOs go through cycles of dormancy focused around funding. When NGOs fail, it is often due to heavy reliance on continued external funding as well as lack of accountability and sustainable reliance in projects. Here at Branches Community Projects, we are confident in our vision and roadmap so that this will not occur. 

We are constantly on the search for reputable NGOs and individuals with creative ideas for sustainable community. If you have contacts or ideals, tell us about them by visiting the Get Involved page.