Is there a need for professionalising NGOs?
Some people believe that many of the limitations that NGOs have are self-induced and that these can be overcome by professionalising themselves by applying business models and corporate structures to become more efficient and result-or output-oriented. Due to the wide range of NGOs, such structures, however, cannot and should not be applied across the social sector, but, should, instead, be used, as and when needed by the NGOs themselves. For instance, an NGO that is providing for paid services, is very similar to a business, and hence in such a situation, applying business models to increase efficiency is a logical step. Unrealistic perceptions A great majority of NGOs are small NGOs with a team of less than 10 people. Such organisations are driven by the personal passion, experience and commitment of the founders. Since they are taking on and attempting to find solutions to issues that even government is struggling with, such NGOs seem larger than life and appear to have a greater re
