Fundraisers work in many varied fields, countries and circumstances, but they share several fundamental values and practices: they work to make a difference, help others and save what is valuable, in fact to make the world a better place. It is for these reasons that fundraisers strive to identify and employ best practices in their approaches and abide a Code of Professional Ethics in their country whilst adhering to a single universal declaration of fundamental principles.
But is fundraising being done professionally and properly in South Africa, is it time to self-regulate?
by Loni Prinsloo, 21 October 2012
* This article was first published in Sunday Times: Business Times
GOOD intentions by the government to increase the efficiency and sustainability of black empowerment policies through proposed code amendments could lock entire industry sectors out of the mainstream economy, according to experts.
The amendments aim to cut out undesirable aspects such as fronting, increase local procurement and place a stronger emphasis on black ownership.
The Q1/2012 (first quarter) SAIF survey certainly raised some interest and was highly participative. The key question we were asking: Are you reaching your fundraising target?
More than 5% of the target group (2800) representing non-profit organisations from around the country, eagerly responded to the questionnaire with less than half stating they had reached their fundraising targets during 2011. The majority of participants are current members of SAIF and only 11% were non-members.