A modified typology to classify secular NGOs and faith-based organisations in development contexts

ABSTRACT

Within some contexts, distinguishing between faith-based organisations (FBOs) and secular NGOs may be challenging. While typologies for FBOs, and how they contrast to secular NGOs, exist in the literature, similarities and some shortcomings exist across them. This article introduces a modified typology that allows for a more nuanced understanding of secular organisations – namely those that accommodate religion in their programming. Significantly, the typology considers that “secular” is not always absent of religion. This analytical instrument is a contribution to future studies in development contexts where culturally valued religious elements may be integrated into secular organisations.

KEYWORDS:

• Civil society – NGOs
• Aid – Development policies

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author.

Notes on contributor

John Frame has a DPhil from the University of Oxford and is an Associate Professor at Northcentral University, United States. His research interests relate to faith-based organisations, anti-trafficking programmes, religion, and public administration.