What is an NGO?

“NGO” stands for “non-governmental organizations,” and refers to humanitarian non-profits who do relief and development work. They’re called “non-governmental” to indicate they’re private organizations, unlike USAID (the United States Agency for International Development) or Peace Corps, which are government entities.

Examples of well-known NGOs are CARE, World Vision, Catholic Relief Services, Save the Children, Mercy Corps and Oxfam International, to name a few. To see a large list of international NGOs based in the United States, go to interaction.org.