Inquiry

What are NGOs and grassroots organizations?


NGO stands for Non-Government Organization. A group that is not part of the government, does some of the things that governments do. NGOs are also known as community agencies or non-profits. They volunteer to help with disaster relief, sports and recreation, arts, housing, social services, health care, education, and with international aid such as human rights and clean drinking water.

NGOs can be large such as the Red Cross, or small such as One Child's Village. Alberta's NGO Council for disaster relief for example, consists of Canadian Red Cross, The Salvation Army, Mennonite Disaster Services, Canadian Disaster Child Care, Christian Reform World Relief Committee, the Canadian Convention of Southern Baptists Disaster Relief, and St. John Ambulance. These organizations play a role in making the world a better place to live.

Resources for Inquiry


  1. Textbook
      • Read page 196 - 199.

  2. Websites
      • Look at the WANGO site to see a selection of the many NGOs that exist throughout the world. Although thousands of NGOs are listed, remember that this list is not complete, not every NGO in the world is on this site. This indicates how many people must be involved in these kinds of organizations worldwide.

      • Change for Children is an NGO based in Edmonton that is making a difference, and it has since 1976.

      • Kids Go Global is a website dedicated to encouraging students, schools, and the public to make a difference in the world.
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