What You Should Look For In An NGO | Identifying Good NGOs in Delhi

Sources: Lakshyam NGO

NGOs in Delhi amount to no account of numbers. It is estimated that there is one NGO for every 600 people in this country. And yet, few have lived to achieve the original motive they were born with. Such a mayhem of NGOs and social workers has resulted in Delhi being a market for tax rebating, money minting organizations that go by the name of NGOs and Social enterprises while all they do is get innumerable amounts of donations from the public as well as the government! When you set your foot out in search of an NGO, How do you differentiate between who is honest and who is not?  The situation can put you in a great load of dilemma. 

To begin with, let this article quickly guide you to how to differentiate between an honest organization, and a skeleton of money minting groups in the guise of an honest organization.

How to Find an Honest NGO?

It is important to do a thorough research before you while away your hard-earned money into the hands of someone else, that promises you to spend it better than you can. The eye of a common man does little good in differentiating between an honest NGO and a fake one. Which is what makes crossing an extra mile of research important before you trust someone else with your time and effort. Look at the below points to get a clearer image.

Receipt of Donation

This is perhaps the first and most easy loophole that gives a fraud organization away. Any organization that is unwilling to hand over a receipt of payment is a clear-cut indication of fraud. A non-receipt payment is a means of earning black money, which won’t show on the organization’s accounts.  To avoid such a situation, always go for a payment mode of draft or check, and not for cash. This binds the NGO into handing over a formal receipt of payment.

Blackmail/ Constant Pestering

Organizations that pester people with incessant calls are a easily spotted frauds. If you receive consistent calls for funds, which involve a heart-wrenching story of a child or women, you are likely being emotionally blackmailed. Also, you should look for solid facts in the story that support what the other person says to you. Without them, be sure you are being contact by an organization you should not waste your money on. 

Direction of Use of Funds

Double check where the money goes: If you are interested in investing your money somewhere, make sure to do a background research of the history of the organization. It could be that the 70% of the money goes into the pockets of the organization members and not the children. If the salary of the members is high, and the turnover, low, it is your call for you to drop the idea.

Progress Reports

Projects reports are a great insight into the working of the organization. The statistical details tell you about the actual work the organisation does and should hence be the first place for you to start you research. 

Source of Money- Government or Public:

Most organizations that are corporate funded or government funded earn huge amounts of money. You can therefore focus your funds on NGOs that depend solely on funds gained from individuals. 

This information could be applicable to NGOs not just in Delhi but anywhere, the onus is on you, to research and invest your money where it rightly belongs. 

Lakshyam is an NGO in Delhi covering PAN India that works for building a safe, habitable world for the unfortunate lot of our society. Since its inception in 2004 till today, Lakshyam has touched well over 18,000 lives in 11 states and directly benefitted them. With over 4 projects working towards child welfare, women empowerment as well as slum development;