Other terms/acronyms Similar terms include third-sector organization (TSO), nonprofit organization (NPO), voluntary organization (VO), civil society organization (CSO), grassroots organization (GO), social movement organization (SMO), private voluntary organization (PVO), self-help organization (SHO), and non-state actors (NSAs). Numerous variations exist for the NGO acronym, either due to language, region, or specificity.
oTher termS/acronyms similaR terMS IncludE ThIRd-sectoR organIzAtion (tSO), NonprOfIt orgAnizATion (NPo), voluntaRY OrganIzaTion (vo) CiVIL SOcieTy orgAnIzatiON (CSo), grAsSrOoTs orgAnizAtiOn (gO), SoCiAL MovEmenT orgAniZAtiOn (sMo), prIvAtE volUntaRY OrgANizAtION (pvO), sELf-hElP orgAnIZaTion (sHo), and non-StaTE acTOrS (nsas). Numerous VARiatIoNs eXIst for the NGO acroNyM, eitheR dUe tO languaGe, rEgIon, or spECifIcity.