Civil society in Kazakhstan is rooted in traditional nomadic values of strong kinship relationships and mutual aid. It emerged in its present form at the time of independence in 1991, when groups of citizens pressed for political reforms and resolution of community needs. Benefiting from a generous influx of international funding and technical assistance, civil society organizations (CSOs)1 multiplied quickly over the next 2 decades, especially after the 1996 Law on Public Associations established a legal framework for the sector. In the early years of the 21st century, as the country progressed to uppermiddle- income status and international donors began to withdraw, the government stepped in to become the main source of funding for CSOs.