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 Nongovernmental 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.