Collaboration key as NPOs do more with less for struggling South Africans

Despite their coffers running dry, the Covid-19 pandemic has taught non-profit organisations (NPOs) how to stretch their dwindling resources to continue providing relief to SA’s most vulnerable communities.

A survey of more than 870 NPOs carried out by social impact initiative Nation Builder last year painted a bleak picture of increased need, decreased funding and struggling organisations that had not been able to access any of the various government relief efforts, particularly during lockdown 2020.

It also highlighted that increased social investment, awareness of social issues and changes in funding practices were critical to the long-term future of the sector.

The dire situation, according to Nation Builder, has seen “incredible collaboration” between NPOs, the private sector and government, as they look to find ways to cope with the massive socioeconomic demands brought about by the pandemic and the economic recession.

Keri-Leigh Paschal, executive trustee of Nation Builder, said there had been “a groundswell of collaboration” in the past 18 months, as NPOs looked to share insights, innovations and resources to navigate the pandemic.

“It could lead to a fundamental shift in the way people invest in the sector and make resources go further.

“The pandemic has been incredibly hard on the NPO sector, which has had to deal with a combination of rocketing demand for its services and reduced funding.

“But it’s also been a time of immense learning, as NPOs and funders find innovative ways to do more with less, and we’re seeing a newfound sense of collaboration between different stakeholders as they look to balance short-term needs with long-term sustainability,” said Paschal.

She said one of the good news stories to emerge from the pandemic had been the rise in the number of public-private partnerships, such as the Solidarity Fund, which had played an important role in mitigating the effects of the pandemic.

“Non-profits are also increasingly collaborating among themselves, whether partnering informally in local programmes or developing sustained collaborations to share resources and reduce costs.”

Dr Armand Bam, head of social impact at the University of Stellenbosch Business School, has looked at the impact of the pandemic on NPOs.

The pandemic has been incredibly hard on the NPO sector, which has had to deal with rocketing demand for its services and reduced funding.

—  Keri-Leigh Paschal, executive trustee of Nation Builder

“The Covid-19 pandemic has had an impact on all spheres of society, some of which will become more apparent after the extended period of lockdown.

“Much of what has been written in the media has been focused on the decision from government within the public sector to enforce a lockdown and the impact on businesses within the private sector.

“While these sectors are often viewed as the main contributors to the economy, it is the impact of and on NPOs within the ‘third sector’ that goes unnoticed.

“There are over 220,000 NPOs registered with the department of social development in SA. During this pandemic it will become more evident how these mission-driven organisations play an important role in our society.

“What is worth considering is that NPOs act in communities where government and businesses are unable to reach. They are accessible and agile to attend to the current crises and need our support.

“While government can rely on our taxes to stay operational and well-resourced businesses tap into financial reserves, NPOs primarily rely on donations and personal fundraising to ensure service delivery.

“Many of these organisations are now facing the threat of downsizing and retrenching staff while the need for their services increases.”

Bam said sharing common challenges, “coming to terms that you are not alone and adopting approaches that might be transferable between organisations” would help struggling organisations navigate the challenges posed by the pandemic.

“There is plenty we can learn from each other.”

What is worth considering is that NPOs act in communities where government and businesses are not able to reach. They are accessible and agile to attend to the current crises and need our support.

—  Dr Armand Bam, head of social impact at the University of Stellenbosch Business School

Meleney Kriel, CEO of Viva Foundation in Mamelodi, Pretoria, said when lockdown started in 2020 many individuals and organisations started feeding schemes to assist community members, despite funding cuts.

“Viva shared resources and supported their initiatives through networks, relationships, expertise and funding. This partnership has seen about two million meals distributed,” she said.

In Hillbrow, Johannesburg, NPO MES launched a number of relief initiatives in partnership with other NPOs, volunteers, churches, government, individual and corporate donors, and the general community, who all came together to assist and donate when the pandemic started.

“We saw a collaboration movement that we’ve never before,” said MES CEO Leona Pienaar.

“And the best thing about it was that it did not end with the hard lockdown, and that many of these partnerships continue to evolve and grow as we navigate a new norm.”

Paschal said as relief work starts shifting back to a longer-term development focus, with new challenges, needs and funding dynamics, collaborative and innovative partnerships would become a part of both NPO and social investors’ future strategies.

“What the pandemic has done is accelerate the move towards some solutions and outcomes that we have needed in the sector for a long time.

“We’ve seen a lot of innovation coming through in areas such as financing and grant-making, and a clear realisation that we can’t carry on doing things the way we have always done if we’re going to continue to have a meaningful impact,” said Paschal.