What is an NGO?

Organizations which are independent of government involvement are known as non-governmental organizations or non-government organizations, with NGO as an acronym. NGOs are a subgroup of organizations founded by citizens, which include clubs and associations that provide services to their members and others.

How To Register an NGO In Namibia

Procedure to register Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) and Associations not for Gain

1. Submission of name application/reservation form CM5 or reserve a name online
2. Once approved, you may apply for a Certificate of Incorporation and Certificate to Commence Business. This requires the submission of the following documents:

• Memorandum and article of Association in triplicate of forms CM3, CM4, CM44B and CM44C.
• Copy of approved name on CM5
• Notice of postal and registered address on CM22
• List of Directors, Auditors and public Officers on CM29
• Appointment of an Auditor on CM31
• Application of Certificate of Registration of memorandum of External Company CM46
• Request for submission of additional Copies on CM51.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’s)

How can I start my own NGO in Namibia?

Steps to easily start an NGO in Namibia:

1. Step 1: Decide the cause and mission of your NGO.
2. Step 2: Set up the board of directors/members.
3. Step 3: Decide the name of your NGO.
4. Step 4: Memorandum Articles of incorporation/ Articles of Association.
5. Step 5: Get your NGO registered.
6. Step 6: Start collecting funds.
7. Step 7: Build a wide network

Does an NGO have to be registered in Namibia?

In principle, an NGO does not have to register itself to perform charitable, welfare or developmental activities. Ideally, due to obligations required of a registered NGO, the registration process itself can lead to the development of systematic thinking and functioning of an NGO’s management.

Can I start an NGO without registration in Namibia?

If you want to involve yourself in social service then you can do it without registering an NGO. To register, setup, run and manage NGO is a entrepreneurial task. If you do not want to work by setting up and registering an NGO you can work without forming it.

How much does it cost to start a NGO in Namibia?

How much money to do I need to start an NGO? You need only Rs 500 for registration fee. But you will also need to have around Rs 5000 to 6000 for documentation fee, consultation, etc.

How do NGO owners make money in Namibia?

Funding sources include membership dues, the sale of goods and services, private sector for-profit companies, philanthropic foundations, grants from local, state and federal agencies, and private donations. Despite their independence from government, many NGOs rely heavily on government funding to function.

How many members are required to form an NGO in Namibia?

A non-profit company must have at least three incorporators and three directors and may be registered with or without members. A non-profit company is not required to have members.

Which of the following is mandatory for a registered NGO?

Along with above compliance, Income Tax department has also made mandatory for all NGOs which are already registered under Section 12AA and Section 80G of Income Tax Act to re-register themselves with Income Tax Department in Form 10A for getting exemption benefits under Section 12AB and Section 80G of Income Tax Act.

How long does it take to register an NGO in Namibia?

It may take approximately two months to process the entire registration. Once your application has been received, the department will send you an acknowledgement letter. A registration certificate will be issued if your application meets the requirements of the Nonprofit Organisations Act, 1997.

Can a NGO do business in Namibia?

NGOs have undertaken businesses and they have found enormous success in many parts of the developing world. NGOs can operate businesses initially and some profit is acceptable even legally in most countries.

Can the founder of a non profit receive a salary in Namibia?

A non-profit founder may pay themselves a fair salary for the work they do running the organization. Likewise, they can compensate full-time and part-time employees for the work they do. Non-profit founders earn money for running the organizations they founded.

How many members should be in an NGO in Namibia?

An NGO Board usually has 10 to 15 members, with a President, a Treasurer and other positions designated to specific tasks/issues related to the NGO’s programme areas. The member positions could be rotating and/or renewable.

Do NGO volunteers get paid?

Volunteers are individuals who work at NGO out of their own choice or have been deputed at NGO by other organizations. They will be assigned tasks from time to time as deemed necessary by NGO. NGO will have a limited contract with volunteers and will not provide any compensation except under special conditions.

Can family members be on a non profit board in Namibia?

Because private foundations are not considered publicly supported, there are no limits on board composition, even allowing for an entire board to be members of one family. The IRS makes it much more difficult for board members of a foundation to be compensated as employees, compared to a public charity.

How does a foundation make money in Namibia?

Unlike a public charity, a private foundation typically makes donations, called grants, to other charities. It usually does not conduct its own charitable operations. Private foundations make grants either to fund an organization’s general operating expenses or to fund a specific program.

How many trustees should an NGO have in Namibia?

Please note that an Incorporated trustee must have a minimum of two trustees, thus the NGO must have at least two trustees in his Governing body. So if there are only two Trustees, another will have to be appointed in other to replace the Trustee that is removed.

What is the difference between a nonprofit and a foundation?

Foundations are organizations that did not qualify as public charities. They are very similar to nonprofits, except money for a foundation usually comes from a family or a corporate entity, whereas nonprofit money often comes from their revenues.

Can I run a nonprofit from my home in Namibia?

Many people dream of starting a nonprofit organization to serve their goals, and this is completely possible to do from your own home. These organizations serve the community through education, direct service or charity, and in return do not have to pay many of the taxes that for profit businesses pay.

How many levels are there in NGO?

NGO type by level of co-operation can be grouped into Community- Based Organisation; City Wide Organisation; National NGOs; and International NGOs; The Non-governmental organizations forms a heterogeneous group and it has a long list of organization working in different areas with varied scope of work

What to do after registering an NGO?

Resolutions. After you receive the registration certificate of your Trust you can begin working. You can formulate an executive committee. There are no limitations like maximum or minimum number of people in the executive committee.