Ithemba Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organisation that aims to empower young people from disadvantaged backgrounds. Through various activities, the young people involved with the organisation are exposed to life skills which enable them to make better choices. As with many non-profit organisations, a large amount of time and energy has gone towards securing funding in the form of donations and sponsorships. Two examples that the organisation has employed to raise funds has been through business participation and private/ corporate donations.

Ithemba Foundation has partnered with over five hundred online companies where a percentage from all sales goes directly to the organisation. This method’s success lies in the premise that shoppers make a contribution to the organisation at no cost to them. The convenience of online shopping coupled with the knowledge that one is making a contribution towards securing the future of a child is an extremely effective method of fundraising. Soliciting donations from individuals can be a daunting task, given the times we live in and the constant rise in the cost of living. The organisation provides all donors with frequent updates. This allows donors the opportunity to see their money at work. Donors also get a mention on the organisation’s website which is free (and excellent) PR. Ithemba also makes it as convenient as possible to make donations, providing various payment options as well as giving an idea of the impact each cash donation has.

In South Africa today, non-profit organisations are struggling to meet their mandate due to ineffective methods of fundraising as well as the mismanagement of funds. Also, many NPOs do not involve donors after a donation has been received. Ithemba is therefore a model organisation in that they involve donors as much as possible. By publically acknowledging their contribution, they provide prospective donors with an incentive (however small) which draws businesses.