Gibson, a researcher and activist in international development, describes how to make aid agencies work, arguing that the problems in international nongovernmental organizations (INGOs) are due to a disconnect between the lives of people they serve and the industry. He examines the origin and growth of the industry, what drives it, and the challenges it faces, then insights that can be gained from local experience and knowledge, how they could lead to a restructuring of the operations in international nongovernmental organizations, implications for the structure of organizations, and what can be learned from organizations that have adopted different forms that focus more on learning and action.