Changes in social structures usually concern the emergence of new institutions, including those related to the development of tourism, and bring about changes in the existing structures. One of the major socio-economic consequences of tourism is the economic activation of an area. The purpose of this article is to indicate the role of non-governmental organizations in the promotion of cultural heritage and tourism in the Kashubian ethnoregion by presenting the structure, examples of activities and the number of recipients of non-profit organizations operating in this area. An important element of the study, due to the research issues undertaken, is also the presentation of the structure of subsidies granted to non-governmental organizations by the Poviat Eldership in Kartuzy, broken down by the amount of public funds allocated and the organization’s own contribution. The study is also complemented with an indication of the location of the Kashubian ethnoregion, including cultural heritage resources. Research conducted on the number of non-governmental organizations has shown that in the Kartuzy poviat their number has increased to 311 in 2019 since 2011. The structure of NGOs operating in the Kartuzy poviat in 2019 shows that 52 organizations operated in the sphere of ‘Culture, art, protection goods and traditions’, activities for national and ethnic minorities and the regional language, as well as ‘tourism and recreation’. In the area these institutions perform the roles of organizers of various events, including those of a folklore nature, such as concerts, rallies, handicraft exhibitions and many others. Not only is the rich cultural heritage of Kashubia promoted through this type of activity, but it also makes the development of tourism possible.