How Leadership Across Non-Profits, NGOs, and the Private Sector Transforms Communities and Promotes Healthy Living

Introduction

Non-profit organizations (NPOs) and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) have long been instrumental in driving social change. By promoting healthy living, improving community well-being, and fostering inclusivity, these entities are truly changing lives. Through collaborative efforts, they provide access to resources, education, and opportunities that might otherwise be unavailable. Their impact spans various sectors, including environmental, health, education, social justice, and sports, all aimed at creating thriving communities.

According to the National Center for Charitable Statistics (NCCS), there are over 1.5 million registered non-profits operating in the United States alone. These mission-driven entities are the backbone of our society, fostering well-being, social transformation, diversity, and inclusivity.

Changing Lives and Transforming Communities

As someone actively involved in both non-profits (NPOs) and non-governmental organizations (NGOs), I have witnessed firsthand how these organizations can make a real impact on people’s lives and transform communities.

A Critical Distinction: NGOs vs. Non-profits

It’s essential to understand that while most NGOs are non-profits, not all non-profits are NGOs. As a rule of thumb, NGOs often tackle large, sometimes international projects, focusing on regions of the world in need. Non-profit organizations - or NPOs - typically engage in more localized initiatives, such as community associations and clubs.

In the USA, both types of organizations can seek charitable status from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), and once recognized, donations made to them may be tax-deductible for donors.        

The Role of Non-profits in Society and Healthy Living

NPOs and NGOs address health and wellness in diverse ways. They create programs focused on preventive care, fitness, nutrition, wellness and mental health. Many organizations also tackle learning and health inequities by advocating for underserved communities, ensuring they receive adequate care, funding, and information.

As you probably know, I have been involved with the USTA Florida as a dedicated volunteer leader for quite some time now, and you may have seen my face (and heard my voice) - alongside its dedicated team of staff members and volunteers - especially this year, in connection with the USTA Florida’s 75th anniversary celebration as an organization. On this, here is one special sustainable project I truly love, and want to share here:

To celebrate 75 years of Florida Tennis, the USTA Florida Foundation launched the 75 for 75 campaign, with a goal to raise $75,000. You can learn more about that clicking on the link above, and I cannot stress enough that just a single dollar can help make a massive impact in grassroots tennis! Would you help us to help all!?

The USTA Florida Section Foundation is the charitable arm of USTA Florida. With a mission of Changing Lives through Tennis, the USTA FL Foundation provides financial support to organizations that help people of all ages and abilities improve their health and quality of life through the game of tennis. It truly focus on community wellness. If you are interested in learning more, or to support its programs, or to apply for a grant, be sure to visit its website!

How NGOs Empower Global Communities

NGOs often empower communities through economic development and social governance, creating pathways to healthier, more sustainable futures. While NGOs and non-profits share similarities, NGOs typically operate internationally. The Young Americas Business Trust (YABT), affiliated with the Organization of American States (OAS), focuses on youth development across the Americas, functioning as a global entity rather than a local or national non-profit.

As a long-time Mentor, Guest Speaker, and International Evaluation Committee Member for YABT | GS/OAS (TIC Americas Programs), I have seen firsthand how youth entrepreneurship and innovation, with a strong focus on ESG principles, can transform lives globally. By guiding and supporting young leaders throughout the Americas and the Caribbean, YABT (as both a non-profit and NGO) plays a crucial role in fostering creativity, inclusive entrepreneurship, and social leadership. These efforts not only empower individuals but also contribute to building healthier, more resilient communities on an international scale.

Promoting Social and Emotional Well-being

Healthy living isn’t just about physical health; it’s also about mental and emotional wellness. Organizations that focus on leadership development, mentoring and coaching, do contribute to a holistic approach to health by helping individuals cultivate resilience, leadership skills, and personal and professional growth.

Through Brain U Coaching, a company I co-founded in Brazil in 2016, and with supporting partnerships worldwide, we focus on online and hybrid leadership and systems thinking trainings and e-learnings programs. Brain U Coaching plays a pivotal role in offering global education with personalized individual and corporate leadership training, mentoring, and coaching programs. By empowering individuals and professional teams, we contribute to healthier, more balanced lives and support work-health integration. Our mission-goal oriented workflow often intersects with community well-being by encouraging participants to drive social initiatives that support both physical, mental and emotional health for all.

The Power of Partnerships Among NPOs, NGOs, and the Private Sector

Partnerships between NPOs, NGOs, and public-private-sector organizations (PPPs) initiatives are increasingly vital for maximizing community impact and sustainable finance development. By combining resources, expertise, and networks, these PPP initiatives and collaborations address broader challenges more effectively.

Just to name one example, private-sector companies like Brain U Coaching bring leadership training and professional development expertise to the table, complementing the community-driven focus of NGOs and the outreach capacities of NPOs.         

These partnerships foster innovation by encouraging the sharing of best practices and creating synergy between different sectors. When businesses, non-profits, and NGOs work together, they create - and maintain - comprehensive solutions that are sustainable and scalable. By leveraging the strengths of each sector, these collaborations help communities achieve long-term health and well-being goals.

How Rewarding Is This?

As a two-term member of the Bylaws and Governance Committee for the USTA Florida, and having been a dedicated tennis parent-volunteer for other special projects within the Organization, it is truly an honor and privilege to be part of the incoming 2025-2026 Board of Directors for the USTA Florida Foundation. These non-profits are making a difference in communities by promoting inclusivity, wellness and healthy living throughout Florida.

For instance, the USTA FL Foundation, a tax-deductible Public Charity under its IRS 501(c)(3) status, is governed by its Board of Directors and serves as the charitable arm of USTA Florida. Its mission is: "Change Lives Through Tennis", and it is achieved by promoting healthy lifestyles, providing grants, supporting community tennis programs, facilitating fundraising opportunities, and ensuring that underrepresented and underserved populations have access to the sport.

As a Brazilian-born junior tennis player, and now a South Florida based volunteer leader in sports and learning initiatives, I am a living proof that tennis is more than just a game — it’s a vehicle for empowerment, wellness, inclusivity, leadership and lifelong learning.

Beyond sports, my involvement with the Young Americas Business Trust (YABT | GS/OAS) has been equally rewarding. The YABT | GS/OAS is both a non-profit and an NGO that actively engages in advocacy, policy influence, and fostering social, environmental, and economic innovation across the Hemisphere.

My roles as a long-time Mentor, International Speaker and International Evaluation Committee Member has allowed me to contribute to youth entrepreneurship development, evaluation for grant disbursement, environmental and social governance, as well as sustainable development and startup advancement throughout the Americas and the Caribbean.

Combining it all, I can safely state it is incredibly rewarding, not only professionally, but personally as well. By developing powerful connections, advancing communities and making a positive difference among these sectors, including among people and businesses, I can also deeply impact and transform my own life for the better.

How I Can Lead You Further

Now, with 25 years of experience as an international executive in law, leadership, business development strategies and social and corporate governance, I have the skills and knowledge to support non-profits, NGOs, and private-sector organizations in their missions and goals.

Whether through leadership training, strategic guidance, or consultancy, my leadership's current and incoming roles allow me to bring a unique blend of legal expertise, governance and compliance, leadership and business advancement strategies, as well as meeting's procedure best practices, integrated with a blend of multicultural communication and leadership coaching skills that allow me to function as a strong connector to initiatives focused on community well-being and environmental, social and economic development.

Now, if you are part of an organization seeking to promote healthy living, leadership inclusivity and community empowerment, or if you want to get more involved in supporting NPOs and NGOs' sectors, let’s connect. Together, we can create solutions that are impactful, sustainable, and tailored to the unique needs of our communities, making the world we live in, a better place - for all!

My Special Call to Action: How Can YOU Get More Involved?

Non-profits and NGOs thrive on community support, and there are many ways for individuals and corporations to get involved. Whether through volunteering, donations, or partnerships, your contribution can make a significant difference.

If you already support any of the organizations I mentioned here, thank you very much!! If this is new to you, and if this reading somehow resonated with you, please let's move forward one step further. I now encourage you to actively collaborate by visiting their websites, or simply reaching out to me. I will be happy to help you help too.

Because, as I always say:

If not now, then when?

And if you need a couple more compelling reasons to step up and help:

Since 2005, the USTA Florida Section Foundation has had a community impact of over $2,000,000 by assisting community tennis associations, parks and recreation agencies, national junior tennis and learning locations, tennis clubs, service organizations, schools, colleges, and many other tennis entities.        

Since 2010, donors have made it possible of over 942 grants to be awarded to programs supporting schools, adaptive programs, government entities, after-school?programs, and public tennis facilities.        

Now - together - we can keep making a lasting impact, on and off the courts, transforming lives and strengthening the communities we serve and live in.

Conclusion

There is no doubt that non-profits and NGOs are pillars of social progress, and when they collaborate with the private sector, their impact can be even more profound. By joining forces across sectors, we can all contribute to create a better, healthier world. And:

I trust we can make better choices, daily. So, I now invite you to also be a part of this journey and help make a difference through your support, collaboration, or active participation in any of these initiatives.

Thank you in advance!

Fernanda C. A. Freitas*

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Note:?*This article is authored by Fernanda Cristina Alem Freitas, an international executive based in South Florida. The views expressed here are her own, and this content does not constitute any form of advice.