What NGOs like Save the Children do in humanitarian response and how they differ from government bodies and other charities
When a crisis hits, whether it’s conflict, a disaster, or a health emergency, families often need help immediately. That’s where NGOs (non-government organisations) play a critical role. But the term “NGO” is often used interchangeably with “charity” or “nonprofit organisations,” which can make it hard to understand what these organisations do and how they fit alongside governments.
What is an NGO?
NGO stands for non-governmental organisation. It’s a term commonly used around the world to describe not-for-profit organisations working independently of governments, often in international development or humanitarian response.
In Australia, NGO is not a formal legal category. Instead, NGOs are typically recognised by the scale of their work and the scope of their missions, often addressing complex issues across borders and working to support large-scale or systemic change.
Some NGOs are also registered charities, while others may not be. What they have in common is a commitment to public good, operational independence, and a focus on addressing big challenges that affect people and communities.
How NGOs support people during humanitarian crises
In humanitarian crises, needs can escalate quickly. NGOs work to respond to emergencies and help communities recover and rebuild over time.
Save the Children respond rapidly when disasters strike, providing essentials like shelter, water, food and emotional support. That emergency response sits alongside longer-term work to protect children’s rights and help children and families access services that keep them healthy, learning and safe.
This combination, of rapid emergency support plus longer-term recovery and development, helps ensure children are not only supported in the immediate moment, but also have ongoing support as communities rebuild.
NGOs vs Nonprofit organisations vs Charities: What’s the difference?
Because the words are often used interchangeably, it helps to break down what each term means to understand the difference. Learn more about the difference between nonprofits, NGOs and charities.
Nonprofit organisations
A non-profit is any organisation that doesn’t operate to generate profits for owners or shareholders. Any surplus income is reinvested to support its purpose. In Australia, non-profits can be associations, trusts, or companies limited by guarantee.
Non-profits are not required to register with the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (ACNC) unless they wish to be recognised as charities or access certain tax concessions.
Charities
Charities are a specific type of non-profit that meet legal criteria. In Australia, a charity must have exclusively charitable purposes, deliver a public benefit, operate independently of political parties and government, and comply with governance and reporting obligations set by the ACNC.
Charities can also register as Deductible Gift Recipients (DGRs), meaning donations over $2 are tax-deductible. Charitable status reflects an organisation’s transparency, integrity and public accountability.
NGOs
An NGO is a not-for-profit organisation working independently of governments, often in international development or humanitarian response. NGOs often work globally by partnering with international agencies and communities to respond to emergencies, deliver development programs and advocate for change.
In simple terms:
● Nonprofit organisation refers to a business model (not profit-driven).
● Charity refers to a legal status and regulatory framework (ACNC and reporting obligations).
● NGO refers to a role and scope of work (often global, often humanitarian and development-focused, independent of government).
How NGOs differ from government bodies
NGOs work independently of governments, and their missions are focused on public good rather than political mandates. In many contexts, NGOs may work alongside governments, local authorities, international agencies and communities but remain operationally independent.
For supporters, this distinction matters because it explains why NGOs often combine service delivery (like health, education and protection work) with advocacy and working to influence decisions or systems that affect children’s rights.
Save the Children as an NGO: What we do and where
Save the Children is both a registered Australian charity and a globally recognised NGO. We are regulated by the ACNC, comply with the ACFID Code of Conduct, and hold DGR status, so donations over $2 are tax-deductible.
We work in more than 100 countries to protect and empower children, supporting their right to live, learn and be safe from harm. Save the Children’s work focuses on:
● Health: life-saving healthcare, vaccinations, nutrition and support for new mums and babies.
● Education: helping children access quality learning, even in disaster and conflict zones.
● Protection: shielding children from abuse, neglect, exploitation and violence.
● Emergencies: responding rapidly when disasters strike, providing essentials like shelter, water, food and emotional support.
● Climate resilience: helping ensure the world’s most vulnerable communities are equipped to deal with the increasing risks associated with the climate crisis.
NGOs and innovation: Strengthening humanitarian and development financing
The impact of NGOs is not limited to frontline service delivery. NGOs can also contribute to new ways of funding and delivering development outcomes, especially when humanitarian needs are growing and climate risks are rising.
In November 2024, Save the Children Australia (together with other Australian NGOs) welcomed a Federal Government initiative to create a $10 million blended finance accelerator to support NGO efforts to unlock private capital and achieve greater development outcomes in the Indo-Pacific. The initiative is called the Indo-Pacific NGO Blended Finance Accelerator, and it is intended to increase the scale and impact of initiatives that promote gender equality and climate resilience across Asia and the Pacific.
This is one example of how NGOs can contribute to humanitarian and development outcomes through both practical program delivery and broader system-level collaboration.
How to choose where to donate and what to look for
If you’re deciding between NGOs, charities, and other nonprofit organisations, understanding the difference can help you give confidently.
When you support a registered charity like Save the Children, you know:
● your donation is going to a regulated organisation with strict reporting obligations
● you may be eligible for a tax deduction
● your contribution is being used efficiently and ethically
● you’re helping drive meaningful, lasting change for children.
Looking for ACNC registration, DGR status, clear reporting, and established humanitarian experience can help you find the right organisation to support.
Why NGOs matter in humanitarian response
In humanitarian crises, the role of NGOs is practical and urgent: reaching children and families with essentials, protecting rights, and helping communities recover over time. NGOs also contribute to longer-term change through development programs, partnerships, advocacy, and initiatives that strengthen the systems and financing behind humanitarian and development work.
Understanding the difference between NGOs, nonprofit organisations, and charities can help you choose where to donate and how to support the kind of impact you want to see, especially when children’s lives and rights are under pressure.
Make your impact today and donate now
Now that you know the difference between nonprofits, charities and NGOs, if you’d like to donate, you can make a single donation to Save the Children today or become a regular giver.
Every child deserves a bright future and your donation will help create a world where every child has a safe and happy childhood. All donations over $2 are tax deductible.