Philanthropy Programme

Social giving for social development

The Inyathelo Philanthropy programme works continually to raise awareness of social giving and philanthropy in South Africa, in recognition of the critical need to support civil society through growing the pool of local philanthropists and increasing South African philanthropic funding.

It is incumbent on South Africans to build a strong philanthropic movement in the country, to reduce the current dependence of local civil society on international funding and to reduce the immense pressure on the few large local donors. South Africa is now classified as a "middle-income" country, reflecting an expectation from international donors that, in the near future, South Africa should be largely supporting its own civil society and its own institutions such as universities.

Inyathelo has invested in efforts to conduct research into South African giving behaviour, to promote private social investment, to create the tools to assist donors in developing effective grantmaking practices, and to encourage the establishment of new philanthropic trusts and foundations.

The Inyathelo Philanthropy Awards

The highlight of Inyathelo’s philanthropy programme is the annual Inyathelo Philanthropy Awards event , the focus of Inyathelo’s consciousness-raising relating to the need to grow philanthropy in South Africa. The Awards are designed to highlight and role-model individual philanthropists who, through energy, commitment and the investment of their own financial resources, have achieved long-term social development objectives.

The key objectives of Inyathelo’s Philanthropy Awards initiative is to encourage:

  • a greater culture of philanthropic giving in overall South African society
  • South Africans to take responsibility for their own civil society, with less dependence on international funding
  • the establishment of more private charitable trusts and foundations
  • the creation of national role models, who will – as a group – play a key role in developing local awareness of philanthropy, therefore highlighting pioneering philanthropic initiatives, including among women and youth.

A Network for Good

Inyathelo is a convening agent to bring together local foundations and philanthropists in a loose independent network called the Private Philanthropy Circle, a forum for sharing skills, information and experience around grantmaking in South Africa – with peer-to-peer learning opportunities in a range of areas, as well as on-line resources.

The aim of the Circle is to build private philanthropy in South Africa, to create a community of local private foundations and individual philanthropists and to contribute to the creation of an energised and effective South African philanthropic community. The Circle aims to explore the practice of good grantmaking and to develop mechanisms to enhance these practices in the local context.

To find out more about the Private Philanthropy Circle, contact Amanda Bloch on This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

Publications

Inyathelo has developed an exciting on-line resource, at www.philanthropy.org.za , focusing on South African philanthropy. In addition to the site - loaded with information, discussion opportunities, opinion pieces and debates - you can also subscribe to our monthly Philanthropy South Africa newsletter.

Other Inyathelo publications relating to philanthropy in South Africa include a Youth Action philanthropy guide; an overview booklet on philanthropy and giving in South Africa; a literature review on South African philanthropy; handbooks to aid grantmakers on issues such as governance and board selection, and the elements required for setting up a foundation or trust. These publications are available for purchase online.

YIPPSA – Youth in Philanthropy Programme South Africa

Inyathelo’s first philanthropy project was the Youth in Philanthropy Programme South Africa (YIPPSA). Running from 2007 to 2010, this four-year youth programme was based in high schools to build and encourage a culture of social responsibility amongst youth.

Using a combination of structured interventions and practical assignments, learners were encouraged to adopt a social service project in their community and develop fundraising strategies that would address some of the needs in the organisation of their choice. Endorsed by the Deputy Minister of Social Development, YIPPSA was implemented in nine schools representing a cross-section of private schools, former "Model C schools", and schools in historically disadvantaged communities in Cape Town and surrounds.

YIPPSA provided young people with the opportunity to connect with key issues in their communities; to build their leadership skills and self-esteem; to develop creative and analytical thinking; to take informed risk and nourish their community involvement. Learners handed over the funds raised to the community organisation at their annual Matric Ball, and would challenge learners of the following year to equal or better their efforts. This challenge was encouraged with a Giving Board put up at the school to recognise the contribution of each class year.

Schools involved over the years include:

  1. Langa High School
  2. Cape Town High School
  3. Herzlia High School
  4. Manenberg High School
  5. Milnerton High School
  6. Oude Molen High School
  7. Zwaanswyk High School
  8. St Andrews High School
  9. Luhlaza High School

In addition to the core schools-based programme, a number of YIPPSA students who had graduated from high school asked if there was a way in which they could continue to be part of YIPPSA – and so the YIPPSA Alumni Programme was born. These young people, at colleges and universities, continued to grow their fundraising, marketing, grantmaking, communication and social entrepreneurship skills with YIPPSA. The YIPPSA Alumni also had a special role to play in encouraging and mentoring the students on the YIPPSA Schools programme.

For more information on Inyathelo’s Youth in Philanthropy Programme South Africa (YIPPSA), contact Inyathelo on This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.