The authors make use of a data set, collected by one of them, on characteri
stics of nongovernment organizations (NGOs) in Bombay, to develop a data-ba
sed typology for urban NGOs. Application of statistical classification tech
niques points to three main dimensions of variation in the features of urba
n NGOs, which are interpreted as reflecting scale, scope, and stance toward
s local involvement and funding sources. These factors are used to interpre
t a clustering of Bombay NGOs into four relatively homogeneous groupings. I
n the arising typology the sector is divided into three types of service-de
livery NGO, which are distinguished mainly by scale of operation and fundin
g source, and a fourth group of NGOs which are involved more in policy advo
cacy.