A global day celebrating the people behind nonprofits and NGOs making a difference around the world.
The first edition records how the Day has developed, country by country, with named sources.
There are many ways to take part in World NGO Day.
For over a decade, the symbol has represented unity, diversity, and the people behind civil society, celebrated every 27 February.
An international recognition celebrating nonprofit-friendly cities, announced on February 27, World NGO Day. Each recognized city is featured digitally and in its own limited-edition coffee table book, highlighting the places, people and community connections that support and empower civil society.
Signed special editionLearn who safeguards the legacy of World NGO Day and how you can support it.
FriendsHAUS Founder and Assistance League of Los Angeles Board Member J’Net Nguyen joins as Executive Advisor.
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World NGO Day is an international day celebrating the people behind nonprofits and non-governmental organizations, observed every 27 February.
From its beginnings to a global day recognized across borders, explore the milestones, people and places that have shaped World NGO Day since 2009.
On World NGO Day, we stand firm in our commitment to protect and support a strong, independent and resilient civil society and to strengthen partnerships with NGOs across the globe.
As the governor of Washington, it is my honor and privilege to join our community in celebrating World NGO Day. On this occasion, we take a moment to recognize and appreciate the invaluable contributions made by non-governmental organizations (NGOs) across our nation and world. I encourage all Washingtonians to take a moment today to learn about the impactful work being done by NGOs around the world.
On World NGO Day, we honour the remarkable dedication and resilience of workers in international development and humanitarian assistance. These often-unsung heroes are committed to reaching vulnerable and marginalized people with responsive, inclusive and life-changing assistance.
World NGO Day is an annual celebration recognizing the founders, employees, volunteers, members and supporters of organizations independent of government.
For the first time, a global observance, World NGO Day, will recognize and celebrate Nonprofit Friendly Cities around the world.
Each selected city will receive the Nonprofit City recognition title on February 27, World NGO Day, and be featured digitally and in a limited-edition coffee table book highlighting the places that support and empower civil society.
The idea for Nonprofit City was born in West Hollywood, California, as World NGO Day marked its 10th anniversary, inspired by the city’s vibrant civil society community.
Nonprofit City was created to recognize the cities that support their nonprofit communities and welcome new ones, and to encourage businesses to become nonprofit-friendly places where organizations and communities meet, connect, celebrate, convene and collaborate.
Nonprofit City is an international recognition title awarded to nonprofit-friendly cities by World NGO Day. Cities are preselected by the Global Council, and the selected city is announced on February 27, World NGO Day.
Each recognized city is featured digitally and in its own limited-edition coffee table book, highlighting the places, people and community connections that support and empower civil society.
Nonprofits are an essential part of a city’s identity and development. From small communities to major international centers, they serve residents, address social challenges, bring people together and create opportunities for collaboration. They also contribute to a city’s wider professional and economic ecosystem by attracting conferences, delegations, partnerships and international connections.
Nonprofit City recognizes cities for the strength of their civil society ecosystem, including the organizations making a difference locally, the leaders and delegations they welcome, and the places that bring people together to meet, convene, celebrate and collaborate. Cities may also demonstrate their commitment by celebrating World NGO Day and recognizing the contributions of their local nonprofit community.
Nonprofit City brings international recognition from the global observance. Each recognized city receives the Nonprofit City recognition title on February 27, World NGO Day, and is featured digitally and in its own limited-edition coffee table book.
The book offers a curated look at the city’s nonprofit ecosystem, highlighting the people, organizations and places that help civil society thrive. It shows where nonprofit leaders and professionals can meet, connect, celebrate, convene and collaborate, while introducing the city to a wider international audience.
Through this recognition and publication, Nonprofit City celebrates the contribution of civil society, strengthens connections between cities and the nonprofit sector, and showcases the places helping shape its future.
Subscribe NowThe Baltic states of Lithuania and Latvia have formally integrated World NGO Day into their national calendars, strengthening the partnership between government institutions and the non-governmental sector.
Read more →The inaugural Global Review aggregates records from 2009 to 2026, documenting observance activities across more than 140 countries and territories in over 90 languages and scripts.
Read more →The World NGO Day Global Review documents the observance across diverse writing systems and languages, highlighting an organic, grassroots adoption that reflects local identities and communities worldwide.
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A more expressive World NGO Day website, a richer editorial experience and a redesigned MyWND ecosystem created to welcome more people who care about the global day and its movement.
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