The presented work draws attention to the all-too-common misunderstanding of the third sector comprised of NGOs. Misinterpretation of work performed by these organizations is a recurring broader social phenomenon, which results in poorer preformance of such organizations as well as in the disadvantage of society for achieving quality and improving services. Within welldeveloped modern forms of organizations, those that work for the social good are extremely important. Their aim is to serve civil society by striving towards common and sustainable social development. There are currently slightly less than 27,600 non-governmental organizations in Slovenia, with opportunities to operate at all levels of society. They carry the potential to raise the qualitative level of the state, but only if the interests of non-governmental organizations and social and state trust in could find common ground. The thesis highlights important areas for the operation and management of non-governmental organizations. Their work is demonstrated as transparently as possible, with emphasis on their contribution to society. We then focus on the cultural sector, which is one of the most affected areas within which NGOs strive for their survival.