Civil society

Civil society can be understood as the "third sector" of society, distinct from government and
business, and including the family and the private sphere.[1] By other authors, "civil society" is
used in the sense of 1) the aggregate of non-governmental organizations and institutions that
manifest interests and will of citizens or 2) individuals and organizations in a society which are
independent of the government.[2]

The Role of Civil Society & NGOs

Civil society and nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) have the power to influence
individual behaviour and the institutions that are involved in healthy diet and physical
activity promotion.
By collaborating with national and international partners, they can support the
implementation of the Global Strategy on Diet, Physical Activity and Health.
Civil society and nongovernmental organizations can:

 lead grass-roots mobilization and advocate that healthy diets and physical activity for
children should be placed on the public agenda;
 support the wide dissemination of information on the prevention of noncommunicable
diseases in children through balanced, healthy diets and physical activity;
 form networks and action groups to promote the availability of healthy foods and possibilities
for physical activity in children;
 advocate and support health-promoting programmes and health education campaigns for
children;
 monitor and work with other stakeholders such as private sector entities;
 contribute to putting knowledge and evidence into practice.

philanthropic organizations are nonprofit nongovernmental entities that utilize donated assets
and income to provide social useful services. Community foundations, endowments and
charitable trusts are types of philanthropic organizations.

History
Philanthropic charitable organizations date back to antiquity. One of the first laws defining
charitable organizations is the Statute of Charitable Uses, passed by English parliament in 1601.
In the U.S., charitable organizations have enjoyed tax exempt status since the first federal
income tax. Several reasons why nonprofits have this tax status is because they relieve
government of providing a service, benefit society or have protection under the separation of
church and state.

Types

Most philanthropic organizations are organized and operated for specific purposes, since these
purposes may qualify for tax exempt status, according to the IRS. Stated purposes include
charitable, religious, scientific, testing for public safety, literary, educational, prevention of
cruelty to animals and fostering national or international amateur sports competition. Examples
of qualifying organizations include churches, charitable hospitals and other charitable
organizations, alumni associations, Red Cross and Salvation Army chapters and Boys' or Girls'
clubs.

Nonprofit Income

While fund raising and receiving donations are important to philanthropic organizations,
donations make up approximately 10 percent of nonprofits' income. Fees for services, product
sales, interest and returns on investments make up the bulk of income received, followed by
government grants.

Foundation Requirements

In addition to restrictions on what type of purposes a private foundation can engage in, these
organizations are subject to specific private foundation tax provisions. Foundations also have
rules and regulations regarding self-dealing between the organization and substantial
contributors, limits on holdings in private investments and requirements to annually distribute
income for charitable purposes. Provisions also require that investments not jeopardize carrying
out exempt purposes and assure that expenditures further exempt purposes.