The NGO Museum

This is a crowd-sourced collection of statements from organizations and initiatives announcing (or discussing) their closures. The hope is that seeing the range of organizations that close will be a balm and source of encouragement for others facing closure.

To submit a project or organization to be added to this collection, click here.

Helsinki Design Lab (2009 – 2013)

Helsinki Design Lab used strategic design to uncover the “architecture” of large-scale challenges and develop more holistic, complete solutions for improvement.

Shift
(20004-2024)

Shift was a design studio for social change.

Women Who Code (2011-2024)

Women Who Code provided resources and community-empowerment for women in technology.

Kendeda Fund
(1993-2023)

Kendeda was a philanthropic foundation focused on increasing the dignity of individuals and the sustainability of communities by investing in transformative leaders and ideas.

Year Here Fellowship (2012-2022)

Year Here fostered a community of social entrepreneurs
tackling Britain’s toughest social problems

Allied Media Conference (1999-2022)

Allie Media Conference was a community-focused conference for changemakers.

Global Integrity
(2005-2023)

Global Integrity was committed to the fight against corruption, continuously striving to enhance public service delivery outcomes by producing cutting-edge research, strengthening local responses, and building an extensive global network of governance reformers.

QuestionCopyright.Org
(2007-2023)

QuestionCopyRight.Org was a non-profit focused on changing the way people thought about how creative works are distributed.

What Works Wellbeing
(2014-2024)

WWW was an organization working to understand and spread awareness of what factors contributed to personal wellbeing in the UK.

Ragged Wing Ensemble
(2004-2021)

Ragged Wing was a San Francisco Bay Area-based black box theater.

Campaign Bootcamp
(2014-2022)

Campaign Bootcamp was a UK-based organization that ran campaigning trainings for marginalised activists and communities

WaterSHED
(2010-2020)

WaterSHED was a 10-year initiative to expand access to clean water and sanitation in Cambodia. The organization was sunset on time.

The Ada Initiative
(2011-2015)

Ada Initiative was an advocacy organization for women in open source software and open culture.

ChildHope
(1989 – 2023)

ChildHope was a global child rights organisation that began its life with a focus on working directly with street children in resource poor settings.

Patrick’s Cabaret
(1986 – 2018)

Patrick’s Cabaret was a queer theater space in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Pollen
(2009 – 2024)

Pollen was an innovative online journal pushing the boundaries of modern storytelling.

NAVEL
(2018 – 2024)

NAVEL was an arts space in downtown Los Angeles.

Wells College
(1868 – 2024)

Wells College was a private women’s university in Aurora, New York.

Goddard College
(1938 – 2024)

Goddard College was a liberal arts university in Plainfield, Vermont.

The Genevieve and Ward Orsinger Foundation
(1997-2023)

The Orsinger Foundation was committed to supporting projects around the area of San Antonio, Texas. It closed after a 5-year sunset period.

Northern Lights.MN
(2008-2023)

Northern Lights.MN was a Minnesota, US public arts organization that produced the annual Northern Spark arts festival.

ARTs East New York
(2009-2020)

ARTs East New York was an arts organization providing accessible arts programming in New York City’s East New York neighborhood. (webpage no longer active)

No Longer Empty
(2008-2020)

No Longer Empty produced unique place-based art exhibitions, programs, and educational events.

The Rules
(2012-2019)

The Rules (TR) was an activist collective that existed from 2012 to 2019. In its eight years of existence it focused on addressing the root causes of inequality, poverty and ecological break down through narrative and cultural interventions.

Open Collective Foundation
(2017-2024)

Open Collective Foundation was a fiscal sponsor promoting projects in the areas of education, social impact, and civic engagement.

The Whitman Institute
(1985-2022)

The Whitman Institute was a small foundation that advanced social, political, and economic equity by funding dialogue, relationship building, and inclusive leadership. In 2011, they agreed to embark on a ten year spend-out.

Birmingham-Southern College
(1856-2024)

Birmingham-Southern College is a university in the city of Birmingham in the southern US state of Alabama. It is the result of a 1918 merger between Southern University and Birmingham College.

New Ohio Theatre
(1993-2023)

New Ohio Theatre was a hotbed of downtown theatre inspiration and experimentation. Through a variety of developing, presenting, producing, and hosting programs, Ohio Theatre developed long-term relationships with some of NYC’s most exciting theatre artists and independent theatre companies.

PDXWIT
(2011-2024)

PDXWIT was a Portland, Oregon-based organization dedicated to its mission of
building a better tech industry by creating access, dismantling inequities, and fueling belonging.

Write Speak Code
(2013-2023)

WSC was focused on promoting the visibility and leadership of technologists with marginalized genders through peer-led professional development.

Girls In Tech
(2007-2024)

Girls In Tech was a global non-profit organization focused on the engagement, education, and empowerment of women in technology.

Benefits Data Trust
(2005-2024)

BDT was a national nonprofit, founded in 2005, that harnessed the power of data, technology, and policy to provide efficient and dignified access to these programs, improving people’s health and financial security. They’d received a $20 million no-strings grants from Mackenzie Scott in 2022.

New York Writers Coalition
(2002-2024)

NY Writers Coalition Inc. (NYWC) was one of the largest community-based creative writing programs in the world. They partnered with public and private institutions, social service agencies, and social justice organizations to provide unique, empowering ongoing weekly creative writing workshops throughout New York City.

Sporting Force
(2016-2024)

Sporting Force provided education, exercise and social events to relieve social isolation in Darlington, UK.

Linke Fligl
(2015-2022)

Linke Fligl was a queer Jewish chicken farm in upstate New York.

College of Saint Rose
(1920-2024)

College of St. Rose was a 4-year college in Albany, New York.

Tākai
(2004-2024)

Tākai was New Zealand Family Organization that offered parenting resources and funding for community initiatives that reflected a strong focus on Maori language preservation/revitalization.

Hakai Magazine
(2015-2024)

Hakai Magazine provided extensive coverage of issues related to coastlines and oceans in both Canada and further afield.

Rainbow Health
(1982 – 2024)

Rainbow Health was a MInneapolis, Minnesota-based health center providing care to the LGBTQ+- community. It was formed via merger between the Minnesota AIDS Project (founded 1982) and the Rainbow Health Initiative (founded 2001).

Southend Carers
(2000-2024)

Southend Carers provided much needed community and support to family members and other unpaid carers of the elderly and infirm.

Eco-Age
(2007 – 2024)

Eco-Age was a UK-based, climate-focused creative agency.

Tech Talent Charter
(2015-2024)

TTC was a UK-based charity promoting diversity in tech.

Poconos Arts Council
(1975 – 2024)

Poconos Arts Council organized festivals, gallery walks, exhibitions, student summer camps, arts networking, workshops, and more in Pennsylvania’s Pocono area.

Middletown Lyric Theatre
(1978-2024)

MLT was a beloved community company in Middletown, Ohio.

Bellevue Arts Museum
(1975 – 2024)

BAM was the leading arts institution in Bellevue, Washington.

Of/By/All
(2011-2024)

O/B/A was an organization and global network focused on fostering inclusive institutional cultures.

To submit a nonprofit project or organization to be added to this collection, click here. If you are considering a closure, reach out!

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