Sanlam and Variety Club tackle critical issues on charity funding

Corporate companies need to justify their social responsibility budgets, manage them effectively and in the same way they get a return on their investments, they need to see the benefits of their funding. It's a worldwide trend that philanthropic handouts are no longer an option. NGO's therefore need to make strategic changes in their operations, if they are to survive.

With such crucial issues on the table, Variety - the Children's Charity, in conjunction with Sanlam has arranged their second CharityLink Convention to be held at the Eskom Convention Centre on the 11th and 12th April which will bring together the Ministry of Social Development, SARS, the NPO sector and leading corporate donors to thrash out the issues that could affect the future of charity funding.

Opening the Convention is Dr Zola Skweyiya, Minister of Social Development, who will outline the government's position and lead into a panel discussion with SARS regarding the conflict between the NPO Directorate's aims for NPO's to be self-sustainable versus the taxation of non-profits before they are sustainable. Input will also be given on how to move from an NPO to an SMME or other formal, sustainable organization for community change. A representative from SARS will also be giving feedback regarding Section 18A status and the taxation benefits for donors and NGO's.

The convention will also focus on the need for an umbrella organization for NGO's and corporates to link the two and to assist with the effective use of resources. Says Toni Gomes, Executive Director of Variety - the Children's Charity - who spearheaded the formation of CharityLink as a forum to bring all sectors together, "NGO´s need to change from the "handout mindset" and instead focus on running NPO's as business entities. The key now 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. CharityLink introduces an opportunity for creating more value for businesses and NGO's through the convergence of ideas and powerful networking."

According to Esme Arendse, Head: Social Investments at Sanlam, the divide between corporates and NGO's needs to be bridged. "The CharityLink conference is an important opportunity for us to engage with these very important stakeholders in a meaningful way. We're there to share our strategic objectives but most importantly, we are there to listen and redefine the rules of engagement between corporates and NGO's".

Other presentations at the two day conference include capacity building for NPO's, donor beneficiary matchbuilding and related support services. Using modern technology to raise funds and avoiding pitfalls when planning fundraising events will also be addressed.

CharityLink will be the most exciting and important industry convention ever held, bringing together the key players in the sector - from the Ministry of Social Development to SARS, from NGO's to corporate donors to reshape the future of social investment - for good, for better, forever. For reservations visit the CharityLink website on www.charitylink.co.za.