An international nongovernmental organization (INGO) is a voluntary association of organizations or individuals for worldwide or regional action.

The term nongovernmental organization or NGO is sometimes used to describe these groups, although it more correctly refers to an entity working domestically. Both terms, NGO and INGO, should be differentiated from intergovernmental organizations or IGOs, which describes groups such as the United Nations or the International Labour Organization.

[edit] Founding

An INGO may be founded by private philanthropy, such as the Carnegie, Rockefeller, Gates and Ford Foundations, or as an adjunct to existing international organizations, such as the Catholic or Lutheran churches. A surge in the founding of development INGOs occurred during World War II, some of which would later become the large development INGOs Oxfam, Catholic Relief Services, CARE International, and Lutheran World Relief.

[edit] Examples

Major INGOs include: World Organization of the Scout Movement, International Union of Young Farmers, CARE International, Mercy Corps, Oxfam International, Plan_International, World Vision International, Save the Children Alliance, Food for the Hungry, Amnesty International, Caritas International, Doctors Without Borders, International Rescue Committee, Marie Stopes International, International POPs Elimination Network, Compassion International, International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, and HealthRight International.

[edit] See also

• Foundation (charity)
• Non-profit organization
• Think tank

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