Organizations

National Organization for Women (NOW) National Organization for Women Major U.S. feminist advocacy group founded in 1966 to promote legal, political and social equality for women; active on issues from equal rights to reproductive justice.

National Port Authority Anchors (N.P.A. Anchors) National Port Authority Anchors N.P.A. Anchors is a Liberian football club affiliated with the National Port Authority, participating in national competitions and community sports development.

National Portrait Gallery, London London gallery founded in 1856 to collect portraits of historically important British people; holds paintings, photographs, sculpture and archives and is based at St Martin's Place…

National Research Council (United States): role, history, and functions National Research Council The National Research Council (NRC) is the principal operating unit of the U.S. National Academies, convening expert committees to produce independent studies that inform public po…

National Rifle Association (NRA) National Rifle Association A national organization that governs shooting sports, promotes firearm safety and training, and—depending on the country—may engage in politics and advocacy related to gun ownershi…

National Secular Society: history, aims and activities National Secular Society UK organisation founded in 1866 that promotes separation of religion and state, campaigns against religious privilege in law and education, and advocates equal treatment for non-re…

National Socialist Council of Nagaland (NSCN) National Socialist Council of Nagaland Insurgent Naga organization seeking a sovereign 'Nagalim' across Naga-inhabited areas in Northeast India and parts of Myanmar; has multiple factions and a contested legal status.

National Space Development Agency (NASDA) National Space Development Agency Japan's government space agency from 1969 to 2003, responsible for satellite and launch-vehicle development, human spaceflight cooperation and international programs; merged into J…

National Space Science Data Center (NSSDC) — NASA space mission data archive National Space Science Data Center The NSSDC is NASA's long-term archive of space science mission data, preserving and providing access to observational, telemetry and supporting documentation for astronomy, solar,…

National Super Alliance (NASA) — Kenyan opposition coalition National Super Alliance Kenyan political coalition formed in 2017 by several opposition parties to present a single presidential ticket. Played a central role in the 2017 election, subsequent legal challe…

National Symphony Orchestra (Washington, D.C.) National Symphony Orchestra Washington, D.C.-based professional orchestra founded in 1931; resident at the Kennedy Center and known for concerts, national televised events, recordings, education, and contempo…

National Trust (England, Wales & NI): conservation charity for historic sites and landscapes National Trust Guide to the National Trust (England, Wales & Northern Ireland), the charity that cares for historic houses, gardens, coastline and countryside to protect heritage, support wildlif…

National Trust of Australia (Australian Council of National Trusts) National Trust of Australia Peak body formed in 1965 that links state and territory National Trusts. Supports community conservation of Australia’s natural, indigenous and built heritage, manages sites and pr…

National Union of Tailors and Garment Workers (NUTGW) National Union of Tailors and Garment Workers British trade union founded in 1920 to represent workers in tailoring and garment manufacture, expanded by merger in 1932, peaked mid‑century, and merged into the GMB in 1991.

National University of La Plata Public research university in La Plata, Argentina, founded in 1905. A major national institution with diverse faculties, research centers, cultural institutions and a prominent rol…

National University of San Marcos Public university in Lima, founded in 1551; Peru's oldest and principal university with many faculties, schools and notable alumni, including Nobel laureate Mario Vargas Llosa.

National Weather Service (United States) National Weather Service The National Weather Service (NWS) is the U.S. government agency that provides weather, hydrologic and climate forecasts and warnings to protect life and property. Overview, struct…

National Wildlife Federation — mission, programs, history and how to get involved National Wildlife Federation Overview of the National Wildlife Federation (NWF): mission, history, major programs and publications, habitat and school initiatives, advocacy priorities, and ways the public can…

North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) NATO NATO is an intergovernmental military alliance established in 1949 for collective defense, crisis management, and political consultation among North American and European member st…

Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS) Naval Criminal Investigative Service The civilian federal law‑enforcement and counterintelligence agency supporting the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps, handling criminal investigations, counterterrorism, forensics and pro…

NCAA Division III: Overview, Organization, and Role in U.S. College Athletics NCAA Division III NCAA Division III is the largest NCAA division by number of institutions, emphasizing academics and campus life by prohibiting athletic scholarships and promoting broad participati…

Netherlands Bridge League (Nederlandse Bridge Bond) Netherlands Bridge League Dutch national organization for contract bridge founded in 1930; coordinates clubs, tournaments, national teams, training and youth development across the Netherlands.

Network Rail — owner and operator of Britain's railway infrastructure Network Rail Network Rail is the not-for-dividend company that owns and manages the fixed infrastructure of the British railway network, responsible for tracks, signalling, major stations, main…

New England Emigrant Aid Company: purpose, activities, and influence in the 1850s New England Emigrant Aid Company Mid‑19th century organization that transported anti‑slavery settlers to Kansas Territory to influence whether it would enter the Union as a free state; its actions affected the con…

New York City Housing Authority Police Department Specialized police force that patrolled New York City public housing from 1952 until its incorporation into the NYPD in 1995, now administered as the NYPD Housing Bureau.

New York Knickerbockers (base ball club) New York Knickerbockers (baseball) One of the earliest organized baseball clubs, founded in New York City in 1845; responsible for influential rules and early team uniforms that helped shape modern baseball.

New York Provincial Congress Extra-legal revolutionary assembly (1775–1777) that assumed civil authority in New York, directed military preparations, instructed Continental delegates, and helped produce the st…

New York Public Library Public library system serving Manhattan, the Bronx and Staten Island; notable for its research collections, iconic main building, and wide public services.

New-York Historical Society A museum and research library founded in 1804 on Manhattan’s Upper West Side, the New-York Historical Society preserves and interprets the history of New York and the United States…

NHK Symphony Orchestra Major Japanese symphony orchestra based in Tokyo, founded in 1926. Known for wide repertoire, recordings, broadcasts with NHK, international touring and collaborations with leading…

Niger Basin Authority (NBA / ABN) Niger Basin Authority Intergovernmental organisation coordinating management and sustainable development of the Niger River basin across nine West and Central African countries.

Nihon Ki-in (Japan Go Association) Nihon Ki-in Japan's principal Go organization, based in Tokyo, overseeing professional players, amateur rankings, tournaments, education and promotion of the board game Go nationally and inter…

Nippon Sei Ko Kai — The Anglican Church in Japan Nippon Sei Ko Kai Overview of the Nippon Sei Ko Kai, the autonomous Anglican province in Japan: history, organization, liturgy, social work, and its role within the global Anglican Communion.

NNDB (Notable Names Database) NNDB NNDB (Notable Names Database) is an online compendium of biographical profiles and cross-referenced data on public figures, compiled and maintained by Soylent Communications with u…

Nobel Foundation: purpose, history, and role in awarding the Nobel Prizes Nobel Foundation Private Swedish institution created in 1900 to manage Alfred Nobel's endowment, administer prize finances and ceremonies, and support long-term awarding of the Nobel Prizes.

Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) Non-Aligned Movement International forum of states formed in 1961 to preserve independence from Cold War blocs; promotes sovereignty, anti-colonialism, and cooperation among developing countries.

Non-governmental organization (NGO): definition, roles, and structure Non-governmental organization An NGO is a private, not-for-profit group independent of government that pursues social, humanitarian, environmental or advocacy goals; they vary in size, scope, funding and legal…

Nonprofit organization — purpose, structure, funding, and roles Nonprofit organization An overview of nonprofit organizations: definition, legal forms, governance, funding, common activities, history, and differences from for-profit and governmental entities.

North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) North American Aerospace Defense Command NORAD is a binational Canada–United States organization responsible for aerospace warning, air sovereignty and maritime warning for North America. Founded in 1958, it combines sens…

North Atlantic Council The North Atlantic Council is NATO's principal political decision-making body, composed of member states' Permanent Representatives and empowered directly by the North Atlantic Tre…

North Atlantic Treaty (Washington Treaty, 1949) North Atlantic Treaty Founding agreement of NATO signed in Washington, D.C. on April 4, 1949, establishing collective defense, consultation among members, and a framework for transatlantic cooperation.

Northeast Division (National Hockey League) Northeast Division (NHL) Former NHL division (1993–2013) that grouped northeastern U.S. and eastern Canadian clubs, home to several Original Six teams and the highest combined Stanley Cup total of any NHL…

Northern Ireland Ambulance Service Public emergency medical and patient transport service serving Northern Ireland since 1995; provides 999/112 response, urgent care, patient transport and community ambulance servic…

Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service Northern Ireland's statutory fire and rescue organization, responsible for fire suppression, rescue, prevention and community safety across the province.

Northwestern College (Saint Paul, Minnesota) Northwestern College Private four-year Christian college in Saint Paul, Minnesota, founded 1902. Offers undergraduate programs, noted for its evangelical heritage, campus life, athletics (Eagles), and…

Northwestern College (Illinois) Private, career-oriented college in Illinois with campuses in Bridgeview, Chicago, and Naperville; not affiliated with Northwestern University.

Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) Norwegian Refugee Council Independent Norwegian humanitarian organisation assisting refugees and internally displaced people with protection, shelter, education, legal aid and advocacy worldwide since 1946.

NPY Women's Council (Ngaanyatjarra Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara Women's Council) NPY Women's Council Community-controlled organisation founded in 1980 and based in Alice Springs that supports women across Ngaanyatjarra, Pitjantjatjara and Yankunytjatjara lands with health, cultura…