NGOs are political and social groups that operate outside of national governments. While not all nonprofits are NGOs, the majority of NGOs are. The number of NGOs in existence today is difficult to quantify, however according to data from the US Department of State from 2021, there are an estimated 1.5 million NGOs operating in the US alone. Biggest NGO in the World are :
1. Save the Children – 1st Biggest NGO in the World
Established in: 1919
Global presence: 120 countries
This global NGO, which has its headquarters in London, strives to enhance children’s lives in a variety of ways, including healthcare, education, disaster relief, economic development, and more. The NGO has thirty national member groups worldwide as part of its global movement. Focus areas include the war in Ukraine, hunger, health, education, policy and advocacy, and climate change.
Nearly 43 million children were served by Save the Children and its partner organizations in 2021, and 103 humanitarian emergencies were handled. They brought in almost USD 2.2 billion in total revenue.
2. Oxfam International – 2nd Biggest NGO in the World
Established in: 1942
Global presence: 90+ countries
Oxfam is an anti-poverty group that works on a variety of issues, including gender justice, water and sanitation, disaster relief, and conflicts. The NGO has provided clean water, sanitation, hygiene, and money for food to almost 3 million people in Yemen since 2015. Oxfam works in eight of the fourteen governorates of Syria, where millions of people have been forcefully displaced since 2011. The organization focuses on clean water, hygiene kits, farmers, and other issues. Additionally, Oxfam has charity stores all around the world (with the majority located in the UK) that offer fair-trade and donated goods.
The 2020–2021 annual report states that Oxfam worked with 1.7 million individuals on gender justice, reached over 14 million people with its COVID-19 response, and earned a total of USD 912 million.
3. Doctors without Borders – 3rd Biggest NGO in the World
Established in: 1971
Global presence: 70+ countries
An organization dedicated to providing medical care in areas impacted by endemic diseases, natural catastrophes, and conflict, Doctors Without Borders is based in France and is known there as Médecins Sans Frontières. Antibiotic resistance, HIV/AIDS, maternity health, malnourishment, immunizations, mental health, and other issues are among their main concerns. They spend 85% of their revenue on programming, 14% on fundraising, and 1% on general administration and management.
Over 1 million patients were seen in MSF clinics and hospitals in 2021, while the organization conducted over 12.5 million medical consultations and administered 1.6 million immunizations. Following modifications, MSF ended up with a €169 million surplus. The majority of MSF’s funding comes from private sources, such as donations from people and charities.
4. BRAC – 4th Biggest NGO in the World
Established in: 1972
Global presence: 11 countries
Bangladesh serves as home to the worldwide development organization BRAC. Its workforce makes it the largest non-governmental organization in the world. It functions in all of Bangladesh’s districts as well as in nations including Kenya, Liberia, Afghanistan, and Myanmar. Its main areas of interest include social development, including gender justice, education, water and sanitation, disaster risk reduction, and microfinance. Additionally, BRAC is home to a number of self-sustaining, mission-driven social enterprises. These aid in the NGO’s self-financing.
As per the 2021 annual report, about 20% of the population in Bangladesh benefited from BRAC’s assistance. 190,000 children received schooling, 11.5 million people gained access to financial services and awareness, and USD 4.5 billion in loans were granted. The NGO’s total assets exceeded 4 billion Taka.
5. World Vision – 5th Biggest NGO in the World
Established in: 1950
Global presence: 100+ countries
World Vision is a Christian humanitarian organization that addresses problems including clean water, economic development, disaster relief, education, and child safety. The NGO’s primary focus is on children. In 2022, World Vision provided clean water access to 3 million people, supported 31.1 million refugees and disaster survivors, and sponsored 3.2 million children. The operating revenue of World Vision is approximately $1 billion USD. 90% of its income is allocated to programs, 6% to fundraising, and 4% to general administration and management.
6. International Rescue Committee – 6th Biggest NGO in the World
Established in: 1933
Global presence: 40+ countries
The International Rescue Committee assists refugees impacted by humanitarian emergencies such as natural disasters and conflict. It was initially established in response to people escaping Nazi Germany. Focus areas include empowerment, education, economic well-being, health, and safety. The NGO gives special consideration to the needs of women and girls because they are among the most vulnerable. Africa, Asia, Europe, Latin America, the Middle East, and the US are all regions where the IRC operates.
The NGO provided malnutrition prevention services to over a million people in 2021, reached 31.5 million people, and resettled individuals from 32 nations in the United States. 2021 saw total income of USD 979,512 and net assets of USD 245,790.
7.Catholic Relief Services – 7th Biggest NGO in the World
Established in: 1943
Global presence: 100+ countries
Caritas International is a global network of Catholic humanitarian agencies, and Catholic Relief Services (CRS) is a member of it as well as an international non-governmental organization. In addition to emergency relief, long-term development, and human rights protection, the NGO’s first purpose upon founding was to assist European refugees during World War II.
CRS provided services to 193 million individuals in 116 nations in 2021. In addition to helping 221,396 children and adolescents with HIV receive treatment, this also entails giving over USD 75 million in cash and vouchers for the displaced people in Gaza and restoring 503,096 acres of land in Central America. In 2021, CRS’s overall operating income was $1,191,928. 65 percent of the budget goes into support services including general administration and fundraising, and the remaining 93.5% is used for program services.
8. Danish Refugee Council – 8th Biggest NGO in the World
Established in: 1956
Global presence: 40+ countries
In response to the Soviet invasion of Hungary after World War II, the Danish Refugee Council was established. It is currently the biggest NGO in Denmark. It assists with all phases of displacement, offers protection and humanitarian help, and collaborates with authorities and civil society to advance the rights of refugees. With 33 member groups under its nonprofit umbrella, the Danish Refugee Council is a global presence spanning over 40 countries, including those in Europe, Asia, and West and North Africa.
The organization’s next several years of strategy are outlined in the new global DRC Strategy 2025, which was accepted by the Executive Committee of the NGO in 2021. The DRC faces increasing challenges as a result of forced displacement. The DRC made DKK 25 million in profit in 2021.
9. CARE International – 9th Biggest NGO in the World
Established in: 1945
Global presence: 100+ countries
An organization dedicated to eradicating poverty, CARE International works in the fields of gender equality, health justice, climate justice, and the rights to food and clean water, among other things. Women and girls are our first priority. They monitor their progress using the Sustainable Development Goals as a reference.
CARE directly assisted 174 million individuals in 111 countries in 2022. For 4.4 million children, CARE provided access to inclusive or higher-quality education between 2015 and 2021. 73.9 million individuals either saw a decrease in poverty or received basic and humanitarian assistance. CARE USA spent USD 56,703 on supporting activities and USD 658,572 on program activities during the fiscal year, which ran from July 2021 to June 2022.
10. Amnesty International – 10th Biggest NGO in the World
Established in: 1961
Global presence: 150+ countries
Founded in the UK, Amnesty International is an advocacy organization. It states that it has over 10 million sympathizers and members. Its objective is to mobilize the people and run awareness campaigns in order to advance and defend human rights. The focus areas are climate justice, police brutality, torture, and the death penalty.
AI has the potential to liberate immigrants and asylum seekers detained illegally, as well as shift public perception of death sentence issues. AI generated €357 million for human rights initiatives in 2021. 45% was used for advocacy, teaching, campaigning, and research on human rights.