South Africa: Building stronger NPOs for economic justice
On 21 May 2026, Sasopsbiz Foundation, in partnership with the MT Foundation, New Heritage Foundation, Justice Desk, Incema, and other local stakeholders, convened a webinar focused on strengthening the sustainability, compliance, and fundraising capacity of non-profit organisations (NPOs) across South Africa.
The webinar responded to a rapidly changing funding landscape, where shrinking financial resources and increasing competition require organisations to adopt more strategic and resilient approaches. Participants were guided through practical strategies to enhance organisational preparedness, accountability, and long-term sustainability, while continuing to deliver impactful services to communities.
A central theme emerging from the session was the importance of organisational readiness prior to seeking funding. Presenters emphasised that donors are increasingly prioritising organisations that demonstrate strong governance, transparency, accountability, and measurable impact. This shift underscores the need for NPOs to strengthen internal systems and clearly articulate their value and results before approaching funders.
The discussion further explored the need for organisations to adopt diversified fundraising strategies. Rather than relying on single funding sources, NPOs were encouraged to develop multiple income streams, including grant applications, corporate partnerships, fundraising initiatives, membership-based contributions, and income-generating projects aligned with organisational mandates. Successful fundraising requires coordinated teamwork, strategic planning, and sustained relationship-building with donors and partners.
A significant portion of the webinar focused on financial compliance and accountability, highlighting their role in building donor confidence and ensuring organisational credibility. Effective financial management practices, including the proper use of funds in line with approved budgets, accurate record-keeping, and maintaining comprehensive documentation, were emphasised as essential requirements.
Participants were also reminded of the importance of internal controls and segregation of duties, whereby different individuals are responsible for approvals, payments, and financial processing. This practice reduces the risk of fraud and strengthens organisational accountability, while positioning organisations favourably for future funding opportunities.
The session also introduced social entrepreneurship as a pathway to sustainability. Organisations were encouraged to move beyond reliance on donor funding and explore innovative, income-generating models aligned with their missions, enabling long-term resilience and continuity in programming.
Throughout the webinar, presenters underscored the importance of institutional strengthening, including governance structures, monitoring and evaluation systems, strategic planning, policy development, and board functionality. Strengthening these areas enables organisations to operate effectively and respond to evolving community needs.
The webinar served as both a learning platform and a call to action, encouraging NPO leaders to build resilient, accountable, and sustainable organisations capable of attracting partnerships and delivering meaningful impact.
As emphasised throughout the session, accountability, visibility, and sustainability are essential foundations for building strong organisations and advancing economic justice in South Africa.
(Written by Siphelele Kunene, RWVL intern)
