Keys to Successful NGO: Legitimacy, Good Practices, Credibility

The decision to initiate an NGO stems from a deep sense of commitment, it comes from the heart. When there is a genuine desire to positively impact the world and a passion for helping others, establishing a charitable organization becomes a compelling path. However, how can one avoid naive mistakes and ensure the NGO makes a meaningful impact while fulfilling its mission of changing lives?

To begin with, NGOs, as their name suggests, are civil associations operating independently of any government, and often managed by citizens with a shared vision and mission for the greater good. That is why it becomes crucial to recognize the various standards governing nonprofit organizations. NGOs not only seek to improve the living conditions of vulnerable groups and people in need, no matter the approach (education, healthcare, access to stem cell transplants, women empowerment, fight or eradicate poverty). They also work to raise awareness in society about different problems, encourage citizen participation and promote awareness of issues that impact society and humanity.

It is important to choose a legal structure. There are several options that you can choose for your NGO, such as a civil association or a charitable foundation. The main difference between them in Mexico lies in their legal nature. While charitable foundations are private, nonprofit entities are organizations formed by individuals or legal entities that come together under a common purpose. 

The foundation of a legitimate organization involves elements such as having a public mission, defining the type of NGO, maintaining truthful communication, establishing clear governance with a board of directors, adopting a transparent financial structure, and sharing public reports displaying results, origin, and destination of donations received.

Before diving in, thorough groundwork is essential. Like any business plan, exhaustive research is imperative. NGOs face similar challenges to those of traditional companies so they should also be managed as any company. They need to efficiently manage their resources, seek funding, establish strategic alliances, strengthen their operational capacity and promote their activities to achieve their goals and objectives. You must identify challenges, cultural barriers, existing NGOs, or entities supporting your cause to anticipate obstacles. With this groundwork, formulate an action plan for the NGO's effectiveness.

Laying out a strategic overview involves defining purpose and objectives, selecting a legal entity, determining the organization's name and graphic identity, devising a fundraising and financing strategy, and creating a communication plan for regular updates to donors and collaborators on activities and entity evolution. Never lose sight that all activities and projects must align with the main purpose.

Establishing clear policies is crucial for achieving success and building community trust. These policies facilitate the easy identification of donation origins and the process for receiving and controlling donations. Compliance with legal obligations and regulations is paramount, and seeking legal advice from experts can simplify the process and maintain encouragement throughout the journey.

NGOs rely heavily on seeking financial support for their cause. That is why putting together a fundraising strategy is a priority. NGOs can obtain funding from various sources, including the state, other NGOs, or individuals and companies. Some opt for donations and volunteers to maintain autonomy and impartiality. Depending on the country, NGOs must follow specific steps to become officially constituted. Once you have the foundation of your NGO and all the legal structure in place, you are ready to take the next step. Focus on building your team, which will translate into the heart and soul of your NGO. Surround yourself with people willing to learn, work hard and share knowledge to impact society in a meaningful and profound way.

A study run by SciELO México, found that less than half of the self-benefit social organizations considered in their sample (46%) have a website or social networks where they disseminate their activities. In other words, they have little visibility for the public, and for 35%, it was impossible to find any information about them, not even about their mission and corporate purpose. This is alarming, as success is also based on your communication strategy, and how you put your message out in the world, so you receive contributions in diverse ways: donations, volunteer work, among other resources. Having communication channels such as a website and social media handles also translates into transparency, credibility, and accountability.

Nonprofit organizations play a pivotal role in societal development, but their formation, organization, and operations must be done in a satisfactory and correct manner. Understanding the process of creating a nonprofit organization, ensuring legal constitution with transparency, utilizing accountability as a tool for congruence between values and actions, and employing ethics as a central element are crucial for building trust and legitimacy among donors.

Avoid rushing the process; focus on building strong networks and lasting relationships with individuals who are equally passionate about the cause. Take the time to establish a solid foundation, and with genuine commitment and hard work, your NGO will be positioned for long-term success.