Variety Club to host ground-breaking conference for charities and corporate funders

As the largest international children's charity in the world, and one which uses unconventional methods and unique projects to raise money for charity, Variety Club South Africa, is taking the lead in pioneering new thinking and new practices in the way that charities raise money and in the way corporate funding is allocated.

The disparity between those who give to charities and those who receive has never been more apparent in today's business and economic climate. On the one hand, there are the thousands of charities who need urgent funding to service the many causes and the urgent need in the community. On the other hand, there are the corporate funders who, whilst they are committed to helping those in need, would like to see a reciprocal benefit and in a sense, some sort of "return" on their funding investment.

It is this coming together of both parties that will make the CharityLink Conference so important to the future of both charities and charity funding in South Africa. The Conference boasts a who's who of the corporate funding world - with speakers from Multichoice, Vodacom Foundation, Ster-Kinekor, Barclays Bank PLC, Siemens, Sun International, ABI, Kagiso Trust, Coca Cola, Tiger Brands, SAB, Nedcor Foundation, Volkswagen, MTN Foundation, Sanlam, Transnet Foundation, Daimler Chrysler and Zenex Foundation. Other speakers, such as Peter Matlare of the SABC will focus on the media's role whilst the Department of Social Development's Minister Skweyiya will outline government's role. Professor Ram of the Lottery Board will also give their take on how their funds are distributed.

Lyndon Barends, Chairman of Variety Club, believes that in today's complex world, with its urgent needs and quest for recognition, "handouts" are not enough. "Fund-raising has become not only a business, but an art," says Lyndon. " The key is to use the power of each other's assets in altogether new ways, transforming NGO's so that they are aligned with what business needs. The chasm that now separates the values and expectations of these changes presents an opening of vast potential and we hope that CharityLink will be the conduit for that change."

CharityLink is without doubt the most exciting and important industry convention ever held. Everyone, from renowned senior businessmen and fast moving innovators will be reshaping the future of social investment for good, for better and for ever.

For more information, visit www.charitylink.co.za.