Inyathelo | The South African Institute for Advancement

Advancement

Inyathelo strengthens the capacity of civil society organisations to mobilise support and resources to build financially sustainable and purposeful organisations. To achieve this, Inyathelo has pioneered the concept and practice of Advancement in the South African institutional and nonprofit sectors. Our application of Advancement is based on an integrated inclusive approach through which organisations and institutions engage with their external environments to attract private investment and build partnerships with key stakeholders and supporters including donors, the state, beneficiaries, communities and the media.

Philanthropy

Inyathelo recognises that it is incumbent on South Africans themselves to support their own civil society and their own institutions (such as universities) if we want to sustain a vibrant and robust democracy. It is critical to move away from a dependency on international aid. We therefore work towards the growth of a philanthropic movement in South Africa by promoting personal social investment in our society, particularly through the annual Inyathelo Philanthropy Awards and by working with both grantmakers and grantseekers to engage in real mutually beneficial partnerships.

NPO Clinic

In response to huge demand from the civil society sector for services beyond workshops, and for “after care” arising from training programmes, Inyathelo has established its ASK Inyathelo Service – a Nonprofit Clinic that provides one-one-one advice and mentorship in a professional environment, with a specific focus on the needs of nonprofit organisations and institutions. Advisory services include, inter alia, issues relating to establishing a nonprofit organisation; governance; leadership; organisational structure; Advancement and fundraising; proposal development; understanding sponsorship; marketing and visibility; media relations; financial systems and management; stewardship and donor reporting.

Resources

The key information hub at Inyathelo is its Training and Resource Centre, a dynamic and vibrant learning environment for civil society and Advancement practitioners as well as those active in social investment and the field of philanthropy. It is the base from which we deliver the core work of the Institute. Within this Centre is a well-stocked library relating to Advancement, fundraising and the management of nonprofits. This library is now a Cooperating Collection of the Foundation Center of America. It also includes a comprehensive prospect database of corporations, trusts and other donors that fund in South Africa. In addition, Inyathelo produces its own materials relating to philanthropy and Advancement, including a set of unique manuals relating to governance and fundraising entitled ASK (Attracting Support Kit) and a set of booklets on governance for South African nonprofits.

Philanthropy Awards

The Inyathelo Philanthropy Awards are part of Inyathelo’s work to grow a philanthropic movement in South Africa. This awards initiative seeks to create role models in the philanthropy sector, recognising extraordinary individuals who have shown outstanding leadership in the area of personal philanthropy in South Africa and who, through their giving, have contributed to sustainable social change and inspired others to give. The Inyathelo spotlight focuses on those who achieve a positive long-term impact on social development, regardless of the amount of money involved.