Organizations

ATTAC: Association for the Taxation of Financial Transactions for the Aid of Citizens Attac (organization) ATTAC is an international advocacy network originating in France that campaigns for a tax on financial transactions (Tobin tax) and broader financial regulation, social justice, an…

Attica Correctional Facility State prison in Attica, New York, known for its maximum-security role and the 1971 inmate uprising that shaped U.S. prison reform and criminal justice debates.

Audencia Nantes School of Management A French business school in Nantes offering bachelor, master, specialised master's, MBA and executive programs; triple-accredited, founded in 1900 with an international student bod…

Augustana Augustana is a name used by Lutheran confessional texts, historic North American church bodies, several colleges and faculties, a divinity school, and a rock band—linked by common…

Australian Academy of Science The Australian Academy of Science is the national learned society for scientific research and education in Australia, founded in 1954 and based in Canberra’s Shine Dome. It support…

Australian Classification Board: role, ratings, history and processes Australian Classification Board Government agency that classifies films, video games and publications in Australia; explains its ratings, history, decision factors, review routes and effects of a Refused Classifi…

Australian Labor Party (Anti-Communist) A right‑wing breakaway from the Australian Labor Party in 1955, formed under anti‑communist influence and later renamed the Democratic Labor Party; notable for its role in preferen…

Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA) Australian Recording Industry Association ARIA is the Australian trade association for recorded music, best known for compiling national music charts and staging the annual ARIA Music Awards. It represents record companies…

Austrian Football Association (ÖFB) Austrian Football Association The Österreichischer Fußball-Bund (ÖFB) is Austria's governing body for football, organizing national leagues, cups, national teams (men's and women's), and grassroots development…

Authors Guild A U.S. professional association for writers founded in 1912 (originally the Authors League of America). Advocates for copyright and free expression and provides legal, contractual,…

Autism Speaks A major U.S. autism nonprofit founded in 2005 that funds research and awareness; widely influential but also criticized by many autistic self-advocates for its messaging and priori…

Autodefensas Unidas de Colombia: origins, structure, and legacy Autodefensas Unidas de Colombia Overview of the Autodefensas Unidas de Colombia (AUC): its origins as an umbrella of far‑right paramilitary groups, activities during the Colombian armed conflict, legal status, de…

Awana: International Evangelical Children's and Youth Bible Program Awana Awana is an international evangelical nonprofit partnering with churches since 1950 to run Bible-centered clubs for children and youth, providing curriculum, volunteer training and…

Azerbaijan State Symphony Orchestra (Hajibeyov) Azerbaijan State Symphony Orchestra National symphony orchestra of Azerbaijan, founded in 1920 at the initiative of Uzeyir Hajibeyov; central to Azerbaijani musical life, repertoire, tours, and cultural diplomacy.

Balliol College, Oxford — history, academics and notable alumni Balliol College, Oxford Balliol College, founded in 1263, is one of the University of Oxford's oldest colleges. This article summarizes its history, architecture, academics, student life, governance and n…

Baltimore Orioles (19th century) 19th-century professional baseball club from Baltimore (1882–1899) that played in the American Association and National League, famed for innovative small‑ball tactics and several…

Bamberg State Library Regional and research library in Bamberg, Germany, founded in 1803; noted for medieval manuscripts, historic collections and public research services operated by the Free State of…

Bamberg Symphony Orchestra (Bamberger Symphoniker): history and activities Bamberg Symphony Orchestra Overview of the Bamberger Symphoniker: post‑war founding, repertoire and sound, home concert hall, leadership, touring and recordings, education and the Gustav Mahler Conducting Pr…

Banga Sena Banga Sena is a small, separatist organization that has advocated a homeland for Bengali Hindus (Bangabhumi). It is reported to be led by Kalidas Baidya and is controversial and li…

Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Bangladesh Nationalist Party Major centre-right political party in Bangladesh, founded by Ziaur Rahman. Advocates Bangladeshi nationalism, market-oriented policies and has been a central player in Bangladesh's…

Bank (financial institution) Bank A bank is a financial institution that accepts deposits, lends money, provides payment services and manages financial assets. Overview, services, history, regulation and types are…

Bank of Japan (BOJ) — Japan's central bank Bank of Japan The Bank of Japan is Japan's central bank. It issues currency, conducts monetary policy, manages reserves, and oversees payment systems. Founded in 1882 and headquartered in Tokyo.

Bank of Slovenia (Banka Slovenije) Bank of Slovenia The Bank of Slovenia is the national central bank founded in 1991 in Ljubljana. It carried out currency issuance and now operates as part of the Eurosystem, handling monetary polic…

Baptist Union of Great Britain A national association of Baptist churches in Great Britain, formed by the 1891 union of General and Particular Baptists; it fosters cooperation, ministry training, mission and pub…

Baptist Union of Sweden A Swedish free-church Baptist body (Svenska Baptistsamfundet) that organized Baptist congregations, promoted believer’s baptism and mission, and in 2011–2012 joined others to form…

Barack Obama Presidential Center A planned cultural and civic complex in Chicago honoring Barack Obama, combining a museum, public program spaces and a library branch; developed by the Obama Foundation in Jackson…

Barnum's American Museum — 19th-century popular museum and showplace Barnum's American Museum A 19th-century New York institution that blended natural history, curiosities and live attractions under P. T. Barnum; famed for spectacle, promotion, and its destruction by fire i…

Battersea Dogs & Cats Home Historic London animal rescue and rehoming charity providing care, veterinary treatment and adoption services for dogs and cats; funded mainly by public support and donations.

Bavarian State Library (Bayerische Staatsbibliothek) Bavarian State Library The Bavarian State Library in Munich is Bavaria's principal research library and a major European cultural repository, known for medieval manuscripts, early prints and a long-stand…

BBC Symphony Orchestra The BBC Symphony Orchestra is the principal orchestra of the British Broadcasting Corporation, known for its role in broadcasting, the Proms, contemporary music and national cultur…

BeatBullying — UK charity for preventing and responding to bullying BeatBullying BeatBullying was a UK charity that supported young people, schools and communities to recognise, resist and respond to bullying through education, peer support, digital tools and a…

Beihang University (Beijing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics) Beihang University Beihang University is a major public research university in Beijing specializing in aeronautics, astronautics, engineering and technology-driven research and education.

Bell Laboratories (Bell Labs) Bell Labs American industrial research organization known for major advances in telecommunications, solid-state physics, computing and information theory; historically linked to AT&T and lat…

Beth Hatefutsoth — Nahum Goldmann Museum of the Jewish Diaspora Beth Hatefutsoth Beth Hatefutsoth (Nahum Goldmann Museum) in Tel Aviv presents the history, cultures and migrations of Jewish communities worldwide and preserves records and memories of communities…

Better Business Bureau (BBB): overview, functions, ratings, and criticisms Better Business Bureau Non-profit network founded in 1912 that promotes marketplace trust in the United States and Canada; provides business accreditation, complaint handling, ratings and consumer resour…

Bibliothèque nationale de France — France’s national library in Paris Bibliothèque nationale de France The Bibliothèque nationale de France (BnF) is the French national library and a major research institution in Paris, holding rich historical collections, modern archives, and a lar…

BIBSYS — Norwegian library and research information service Bibsys BIBSYS is a Norwegian administrative agency supporting libraries and research institutions by providing shared catalogues, metadata services, discovery tools and infrastructure for…

Big 12 Conference A major NCAA Division I collegiate athletic conference in the United States, formed in 1996 from the Big Eight and four Southwest Conference schools; notable for high-level footbal…

Big Sky Conference (NCAA Division I) Big Sky Conference A collegiate athletic conference in NCAA Division I centered in the western United States, known for sponsoring multiple sports and competing in FCS football.

Big Ten Conference A major U.S. collegiate athletic conference founded in the 19th century, the Big Ten includes leading Midwestern universities and sponsors varsity competition and an academic allia…

Big West Conference A U.S. collegiate athletic conference competing in NCAA Division I, based in Irvine, California, with most members in California and one member in Hawaii.

Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation A major private philanthropic foundation founded by Bill and Melinda Gates focused on global health, development, education, and reducing inequity through grants, partnerships, and…

Billiard Congress of America American non-profit trade association for cue sports, set standards, supports industry members, maintains a hall of fame, and publishes rules and educational material for pool and…

Billy Graham Center (Wheaton College) Billy Graham Center A center for evangelical education and mission work on Wheaton College's campus, founded in 1981 and named for evangelist Billy Graham. Hosts teaching, training, research and outre…

Billy Graham Evangelistic Association A Christian organization founded by Billy Graham in 1950 to promote evangelical outreach through crusades, media, training and resources; now led by Franklin Graham.

Black Hand (Unification or Death) Black Hand Secret Serbian military society founded in 1911 seeking unification of Serb-populated lands; associated with nationalist agitation and implicated in early 20th-century conspiracies…

Black Panther Party Black Panther Party: African American political organization (1966–1982) known for armed self‑defense, socialist politics, community programs and confrontation with U.S. law enforc…

Black Rebel Motorcycle Club American rock band from San Francisco known for a dark, guitar-driven sound, formed in the late 1990s; core members include Peter Hayes, Robert Levon Been and Leah Shapiro.