Nonprofits play a vital role in Barbados, providing critical services and support to the community. There are many different types of nonprofits, each with its own unique mission and goals. In this blog post, we will provide an overview of the different types of nonprofits in Barbados. This is so that you can better understand the role they play.

In Barbados, a nonprofit organization is defined as any philanthropic institution or organization. A nonprofit is established with the object or purpose of helping those in need.

According to Section 2 of the Charities Act,  the word “charity” means “any institution (corporate or not) which is established for charitable objects or purposes, and which is intended to and does operate for the public benefit, and is subject to the control of the High Court in the exercise of its jurisdiction with respect to charities”.

What is the Charities Act of Barbados?

The Charities Act of Barbados was enacted in 2016 and provides for the registration and regulation of charities in Barbados. The Act defines a charity as “an entity that is established for charitable purposes only”, and sets out 10 broad categories of charitable purposes. In order to be registered as a charity, an organization must apply to the Registrar of Charities and meet certain requirements, including having at least two trustees, preparing and submitting an annual report, and complying with the rules and regulations governing charities set out in the Act.

Additionally, Section 2(1) of the Act provides that an application for registration of a charity must be made in the prescribed form and must be accompanied by the prescribed fee. The prescribed form can be obtained from the website of the Registrar of Charities or from any office of the Ministry responsible for charities. The form must be completed and signed by at least two trustees of the proposed charity, and must be accompanied by certain documents, including:

– The constitution or other governing document of the proposed charity;
– The most recent audited financial statements of the proposed charity;
– A list of the names, addresses and occupations of all trustees;
– A business plan or other similar document setting out the proposed activities of the charity;
– Any other information that may be required by the Registrar.

What are the types of nonprofits in Barbados?

Community-Based Organizations
Community-based organizations (CBOs) are nonprofits that focus on serving a specific community or geographic area. CBOs typically provide social services, such as after-school programs, youth development initiatives, and senior citizen support groups. Some well-known CBOs in Barbados include the YMCA, the Boys & Girls Club, and Big Brothers Big Sisters.

Arts & Culture Organizations
Arts and culture organizations are nonprofits that focus on promoting and supporting the arts. These organizations typically provide arts education programs, sponsor art exhibitions and performances. Also, they advocate for public policies that support the arts. Some well-known arts & culture organizations in Barbados include the Barbados Museum & Historical Society, the Caribbean Pride Foundation, and the Caribbean Cultural Center.

Environmental Organizations
Environmental organizations are nonprofits that focus on protecting the environment. These organizations typically engage in activities such as lobbying for stricter environmental regulations, conducting research on environmental issues, and organizing public awareness campaigns about environmental protection. Some well-known environmental organizations in Barbados include the Sierra Club, Greenpeace, and Friends of the Earth.

Conclusion
Nonprofits play a vital role in Barbadian society, providing critical services and support to communities across the island. There are many different types of nonprofits, each with its own unique mission and goals. In this blog post, we delved into how the Charities Act of Barbados regulates nonprofit organizations. We also described the three common types of nonprofits in Barbados: community-based organizations, arts & culture organizations, and environmental organizations. Furthermore, we outlined exactly how the Charities Act of Barbados regulates non profits. We hope that this information has been helpful in better understanding the role that nonprofits play in our society.

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