A voluntary organization, also commonly known as a Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) or a Non-Profit Organization (NPO), is a formally constituted group of people that is private, self-governing, and not-for-profit, established voluntarily to achieve a common purpose.
Key Characteristics:
Voluntary: People join and work for the organization of their own free will.
Non-Governmental: It is independent of government control in its operations and management, although it may receive government funding.
Non-Profit: Its primary objective is not to generate profit for its owners. Any surplus funds are reinvested to achieve the organization's mission.
Self-Governing: It has its own internal governance structures and is not controlled by any external entity.
Purpose-Driven: It is typically formed to address a social issue, provide a service, or advocate for a cause, such as poverty alleviation, environmental protection, or human rights.