The "Bad": The Risks of "Big Charity"

Critics point out that when NGOs become too large or too numerous, they can accidentally cause harm.

• The Dependency Trap: Some argue that constant NGO aid prevents local governments from building their own systems. If an NGO provides free water and schools forever, the local government has no incentive to build infrastructure or collect taxes to fund them.

• Lack of Accountability: If a government fails, you can vote them out. If a private NGO fails or mismanages money, there is often very little the local people (the "beneficiaries") can do about it. They are accountable to their donors in New York or London, not the people they are helping.

• "The Overhead Myth": While we want money to go to the cause, massive growth leads to massive marketing. Some major NGOs spend 25-40% of their revenue on fundraising and "glossy" ads just to compete for your attention, which can feel like the money isn't reaching the ground.

• Crowding Out: In some cases, high-paying NGOs "poach" the best local doctors and teachers from government clinics and schools, actually weakening the country's public system while trying to help it.

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The Verdict?

Most modern thinkers suggest that the amount of money isn't the problem—it's how it's used. The current "gold standard" in the industry is moving away from "doing things for people" and toward "Capacity Building"—where NGOs use their funds to train locals and build systems so that, eventually, the NGO can leave.

Perspective Note: It’s often said that the ultimate goal of a "good" NGO should be to put itself out of business.