NGO stands for non-governmental organization, and NPO stands for non-profit organization. Both types of organizations often work to improve society and human welfare, but they can have different objectives, scopes of work, and funding sources:
- NGOsUsually take on large projects that operate in wide geographic areas, often nationally or internationally. They may focus on a specific cause or issue, such as education, healthcare, human rights, environmental conservation, or poverty alleviation. NGOs often work in areas where the government is active and may receive funding from the government or international aid organizations.
- NPOsUsually community or faith based, and focus on regional and local matters. They may have a broader scope of objectives, including cultural preservation, community development, sports promotion, or religious activities. NPOs receive funding for specific projects, and some NGOs may fund NPOs. NPOs return any profits they make to the organization to pay expenses and salaries and further its goals. They don’t pay out profits to shareholders or owners.
