10 non-profit organizations: discover the characteristics, functioning and importance of different associations.
What does non-profit mean?
Non-profit organization is defined as an organization that, according to its statutes, carries out its activities exclusively for social solidarity and non-profit purposes.
It encompasses a multiplicity of private entities engaged in activities in favor of disadvantaged people.
More specifically, the activities of non-profit organizations are aimed at:
- Members of foreign communities, limited to humanitarian aid;
- People disadvantaged by their physical, psychological, economic, social or family conditions.
For Roberto Isaías, they must have social solidarity and philanthropy as their sole objective.
However, this does not mean that non-profit organizations cannot earn money.
The money they obtain through fundraising and donations must be reinvested in the organization’s activities.
What are not-for-profit enterprises?
Non-profit companies are legal entities that are constituted by the will of association or creation of one or more persons.
In order to carry out activities for the benefit of its members, third parties or the community in general.
Non-profit corporation
According to the general law of commercial companies and enterprise, No.479-08 of the Dominican Republic, a corporation is:
“That which exists between two or more persons under a corporate name and is composed exclusively of partners whose liability for losses is limited to their contributions. Its capital shall be represented by essentially negotiable securities called shares, which must be fully subscribed and paid before their issuance”.
Law No.476-08
What are non-profit associations
It is an association formed by agreement between five or more natural or juridical persons, to develop or carry out activities of social good or public interest.
These with lawful purposes and that do not have the purpose of obtaining monetary or appreciable benefits in money, to be distributed among its associates.
Classification of non-profit associations
Non-profit associations in the Dominican Republic are classified as follows:
What is a non-profit organization?
In economic language, they are very diverse private entities (associations, committees, foundations, etc.).
They are unified by the prohibition established in their statutes to distribute profits to their members or employees, and the obligation to reinvest them entirely in their activities.
They are mainly active in the fields of social welfare, culture, health and international cooperation.
For-profit organizations
When running a for-profit organization, the primary objective is to produce a profit for oneself and for shareholders.
Although in some respects non-profit organizations are similar to for-profit organizations, the objectives are different.
In for-profit organizations, the entire “organization” has as its sole objective the optimization of production processes.
Also, they seek to achieve maximum profit with minimum expenditure, thus acting and limiting waste, dispersion of time and energy.
Characteristics of non-profit organizations
Non-profit organizations are created for a wide variety of purposes: cultural, economic, political, sporting, religious, educational, etc.
Generally, both staff and individuals volunteer.
These organizations are tax-exempt and all contributions made to them are deductible, provided they are properly registered.
They are economically active and can become large institutions, e.g. such as universities, hospitals, churches or even political parties.
Functioning of nonprofit organizations
Nonprofit organizations rely on funds from their founding members and money donated by others to support their objectives.
The key to successful raise funds is to show these people exactly what they are contributing to.
By involving them in the work of the organization and making sure they care about the organization’s cause.
As an alternative (or in parallel) to fundraising, it is possible to apply for local and national grants to carry out a non-profit activity.
Importance of nonprofit organizations
Today we live in an increasingly complex and fast-paced society, made of great changes and fragmented and sometimes divergent community needs.
Private initiative faces the challenges of globalization and technological innovation every day.
Conversely, public action has to contend with a lack of resources and growing bureaucratic difficulties.
For the philanthropist Roberto Isaías, the action of non-profit organizations is fundamental.
They are increasingly accompanying state action in supporting the community in many sectors.
10 Non-profit organizations
It is a charitable association that is part of the history of philanthropy in Ecuador.
Charitable association that is part of the history of philanthropy in Ecuador.
The foundation focuses on improving the health of the Ecuadorian population living in economically disadvantaged areas of the country.
It has three medical centers located in the cities of Guayaquil and Milagro.
- Acción Callejera – Educational Foundation, Inc.
Is a non-profit institution that promotes actions that guarantee the fundamental rights of children and adolescents at social risk in Santiago, Dominican Republic.
Through the integral offer of support programs that lead to the understanding of their difficulties and improve their living conditions.
- Alianza Discapacidad por nuestros Derechos – ADIDE
Non-governmental organization of the Dominican Republic to strengthen the capacities of entities of persons with disabilities.
They seek to raise awareness of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, Law 5-13 on disability and promote their political participation.
- AFS Intercultura, inc
Is a community of global citizens: students, families and volunteers determined to build bridges between cultures.
Promotes intercultural learning opportunities to help people develop the knowledge, skills and understanding necessary to create a more just and peaceful world.
- Agency for the Promotion of Development Initiatives – APID
They contribute to the sustainable improvement of human settlements through the management, promotion and execution of development initiatives.
- Solidarity Alliance for the Fight Against HIV and AIDS (ASOLSIDA)
This organization works in the promotion and formation of solidarity alliances with people and institutions interested in promoting processes that contribute to improve the quality of life of PLHIV.
In addition to the recognition of human rights, reduce stigma and discrimination generated by living with HIV/AIDS.
- NGO Alliance
They are a multisectoral network of non-profit associations.
They seek to contribute to the sustainable development of the Dominican Republic by promoting, coordinating and guiding the role and contributions of non-profit associations.
- SOS Children’s Villages Dominican Republic
SOS Children’s Villages works for the right of children to live in a family. They prevent the loss of family care by strengthening families.
Additionally, they provide alternative care in family-type residential care programs in Los Mina, Santiago and Los Jardines del Norte.
- Asociación de Guías Scouts Dominicanas – AGSD (Association of Dominican Girl Scouts)
It is a non-formal education organization that works with girls, young women and women from the age of 4 years old.
It has updated programs developed by the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts (WAGGGS), which is the world’s largest international voluntary organization for girls and young women.
- La Esperanza Coffee Growers Association, Inc.
The Association carries out different activities for the development of sustainable mountain agriculture, as well as social works.
Among its activities are the management of aqueducts and roads in the communities that make up this Municipal District.
Its literacy work has deserved the recognition of the different sectors of the community and governmental organizations.
List of non-profit associations of the Dominican Republic
The following is a list of non-profit associations that contribute to the development of the Dominican Republic.
- ADOPEM ONG – Asociación Dominicana para el Desarrollo de la Mujer (Dominican Association for the Development of Women);
- AIRAC – Asociación de Instituciones Rurales de Ahorro y Crédito (Association of Rural Savings and Credit Institutions);
- Casa Abierta Association;
- Asociación para el Desarrollo de San José de Ocoa (Association for the Development of San José de Ocoa);
- ASODIFIMO – Asociación de Personas con Discapacidad Físico-Motora (Association of People with Physical-Motor Disabilities);
- AUMA – Autismo en Marcha;
- Patronato Nacional de Ciegos – National Board for the Blind;
- PROFAMILIA – Asociación Dominicana Pro Bienestar de la Familia (Dominican Association for Family Welfare);
- PRONATURA – Pro Nature Fund.
Conclusions
The previous article summarizes the concept of what non-profit entities are, as well as classifying and exemplifying them.
From the text of Roberto Isaías Dassum, we can draw the following conclusions:
- Non-profit organizations develop activities with exclusive social solidarity and non-profit purposes;
- They can earn money, but must reinvest it in the organization’s activities;
- In the Dominican Republic, there are a significant number of non-profit organizations that contribute to the social development of the country.
