’’Can Two NGOs Have the Same Name?’’. If this question bothered you, read this article to know about it. Also, Learn about the steps to start an NGO.
The name of an NGO is determined by a number of variables, including the type of the NGO, the nation in which it is registered, and the regulations that regulate NGO naming rights. In rare circumstances, if two NGOs are functioning in different countries or are registered as separate organisations, they may have the same name. The name of an NGO is an important identifier and should be unique to avoid confusion or misleading information. Moreover, the registration process of NGOs requires the submission of the organization’s name, which will be checked for availability and similarity with existing NGOs’ names. If there is already an NGO with the same or a similar name, the registering NGO will be required to choose a different name to avoid any confusion.
Vakilsearch will help you make the right option and will guide you through the entire NGO company registration process. Vakilsearch provides you with detailed consultation services to understand which type of NGO suits you the best and this blog details about tries to answer the question, Can Two NGOs Have the Same Name.
What is an NGO?
A collection of private individuals forms a non-governmental organisation (NGO) for philanthropic and social causes. NGOs work to advance non-profit goals in areas including business, the arts, sciences, sports, education, social welfare, religion, charity, environmental preservation, and other charitable activities. It uses all of its profits to promote its objectives and doesn’t pay dividends.
Set up an NGO Quickly in India
- Determine the purpose and reason of your NGO
- Form the members/ board of directors
- Decide a name for your NGO
- Prepare Memorandum and Articles of Association
- Register your NGO
- Obtain funds
- Create a large network
What Are the Steps to Start an NGO?
Before proceeding to know more about Can Two NGOs Have the Same Name, let us look at the steps involved in starting an NGO. An NGO, or non-governmental organisation, is often founded to further social or public welfare objectives. An NGO could concentrate on issues like voting rights, healthcare, aiding the underprivileged, and stopping animal cruelty. Donations and grants may be used to finance NGOs. The following are a few steps to consider taking as you prepare to start an NGO:
Step 1: Choose Your NGO’s Mission and Cause
Identifying the cause that your NGO will promote is the first thing to undertake when intending to launch an NGO. Children’s welfare, women’s rights, environmental preservation, elderly care, etc., are only a few examples. A concise statement of the cause and mission that represents the goals, target audience, and objectives of the organisation must be written.
Step 2: Forming a Board of Directors
An NGO may be a charitable organisation, but in order to be successful, to run like a business with clear objectives and budgetary constraints. To achieve this, you’ll need to establish a board of directors and recruit seasoned professionals with expertise in management, finance, human resource administration, and technology, even if it is on a temporary basis.
Step 3: Legal Representatives
Many tasks should, at least initially, be done by the finest attorney who has experience with NGO registration, legal document submission for the NGO certificate, filing audits, handling tax issues, and licencing requests.
Step 4: Choose a Name for Your NGO
The name of your NGO must be chosen in the following stage. Any organisation must, should necessarily, have a name by which others can recognise it. It should be named in such a way that it should not be the same as or similar to that of the Government Authority Body, any registered company, the Board of Ministry, or any other existing NGO. The name must be memorable and brief. It can reflect your cause or the purpose for which the NGO is being established, any idea you may have, etc.
Step 5: Drafting for Incorporation
Your top legal advisor also has the job of drafting the articles of incorporation, which give a legal definition and perspective of the organisation and give the board authority. The article gives a detail about the name of the NGO, its purpose and goals, the location of the NGO, the number of board members, their names, and any personal liabilities of the members.
Step 6: NGO Registration
NGOs must abide by a set of rules and regulations that are interpreted by the law. Once the registration procedure is finished, an NGO registration will be regarded as a legal organisation. You must provide the required paperwork for the application and include details such as the name of the NGO, its goals, and the total number of board members.
Step 7: Transparent Accounting System and Fundraising
From the very beginning of your NGO’s existence, you need to set up a transparent accounting system that maintains track of where funding originates from and how it is utilised. A transparent accounting system and fundraising here refers to having your financial documents available to the public so they are clear about your intentions.
Step 8: Begin Working On Projects
Starting a project is the last step in establishing an NGO. Start by establishing manageable, modest goals. Establish a project budget, give each person a distinct task, and put a monitoring and evaluation mechanism in place.
What Kind of NGOs Are Registered in India?
A non-governmental organisation (NGO) is a nonprofit group that strives for a better society as a whole. It can be set up as a Trust, a Non-Profit Company (Section 8 Company), or a Society, depending on the activity. The experts at Vakilsearch help you with NGO registration online in India.
An applicant must adhere to the numerous laws to register in any of the methods listed below. There are three methods for registering an NGO:-
- Trust Registration under “The Indian Trust Act, 1882”
- Society Registration under “Societies Registration Act, 1860”
- Section 8 Company Registrations under “The Companies Act, 2013”
Can Two NGOs have the Same Name?
- If you want to establish an NGO and are considering doing so under a certain name, you should understand that the registrar of companies will not authorise you to use the same name if you are registering the NGO as a non-profit organisation under Section 8 of the Companies Act of 2013. Vakilsearch can help you with Section 8 Company Registration.
- The same name cannot be approved by the society’s registrar in the same jurisdiction or district if you are registering an NGO as a society under the society registration act.
- However, NGO registration trust under the Indian trust act can be registered with names that are the same or similar to those that have already been registered for NGOs in other jurisdictions, the same jurisdiction, or under the same registrar or sub-registrar.
Conclusion
A non-governmental organisation, or NGO, is a group that works philanthropically to better society as a whole. You can begin an activity as a Trust, a Society, or a Non-Profit Company [Section 8 Company] depending on what you wish to do. In India, the term “NGOs” refers to all non-profit organisations, including trusts, societies, and section 8 companies.
We hope that this blog answered the question, Can Two NGOs Have the Same Name. In addition, the professionals at Vakilsearch are ready to provide services to meet your legal requirements for starting an NGO in India, and we also offer legal services for your NGO launch that include documentation, accounting, etc.
