Religious non-governmental organizations and philanthropy in Indonesia

Religious non-governmental organizations (RNGOs) and philanthropic activities in Indonesia have a long history. They existed prior to the creation of the nation state. Social, political and economic changes in this country have influenced the development of non-profit organizations for more than sixty years after the Independence of the Republic Indonesia in 1945. Modernization and development projects during the President Suharto era influenced the development of Non-governmental organizations (NGOs). In more recent years, RNGOs have largely developed as a response to the socio-economic crisis after the downfall of President Suharto regime. Discovering the dynamics of RNGOs in a broader context of non-profit organizations in Indonesia provides insights into the strengths and weaknesses of philanthropic activism in recent years. An historical overview of non-profit organizations, legal structures, functions, and financial resources are among the themes that are described in this paper.