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New Southern Africa Fundraising Awards to recognize contribution made by innovative fundraisers
Southern Africa Institute of Fundraising
March 05, 2013

Fundraisers who help to bring about positive social change by finding innovative and creative ways to mobilise resources for the non-profit sector in Southern Africa, will for the first time this year have an opportunity to compete for regional and global recognition in fundraising, by entering the inaugural Southern Africa Fundraising Awards (SAFA).

In 2010 Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu affirmed the importance of fundraisers when he told over 3000 delegates attending the Association of Fundraising Professionals Conference in Baltimore, USA that fundraising was a “noble, noble profession” and that through the work of fundraisers “children around the world are fed, human rights are fought for and supported, sick people are taken care of and children are educated”.

Organised by the Southern Africa Institute of Fundraising (SAIF) and endorsed and supported by the Resource Alliance (UK), the Southern Africa Fundraising Awards will celebrate fundraising excellence in Southern Africa, whilst setting aspirational standards and championing best practice amongst fundraisers in the region.

“Fundraisers play a critically important role in enabling non-profit and non-governmental organisations to carry out their work. Whether full-time, part-time or volunteer, fundraisers are responsible for finding innovative, creative and cost-effective ways to inspire people to give of their time, skills and wealth to support thousands of organisations, which play a significant role in addressing the myriad of social challenges facing Southern Africa”, said SAIF President, Annemarie Barnard.

The call for nominations for the five award categories - Big Idea, Small Budget; Innovative Fundraising Campaign; Social Enterprise of the Year; Southern Africa Fundraiser of the Year; and Outstanding Volunteer – is open from 1 February to 31 May for any individual or organisation within Southern Africa (i.e. South Africa, Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Swaziland and Lesotho).

The nominations will be judged by an independent panel of judges and award recipients will be announced at a gala event on 10 October 2013, during the SAIF National Convention 2013 (7–11 October) in Cape Town.

Winners will then be eligible to compete against other national fundraising award winners from fundraising associations around the globe, at the 2013 Resource Alliance Global Awards for Fundraising in the Netherlands in mid-October.

Neelam Makhijani, CEO of the Resource Alliance said; “We believe that innovation can come from any part of the world and this needs to be recognised and celebrated. We hope that the Southern Africa Fundraising Awards will inspire organisations and raise the bar to do more innovative and effective fundraising.”

SAIF believes the Southern Africa Fundraising Awards will help dispel the myth that Africa is dependent on foreign donor funds for financial sustainability. They also believe it will increase credibility, recognition and lead to increased support for those organisations short-listed for an award. After winning an award at the India NGO Awards in 2008, Mobility India said the organisation had seen a sharp increase in individual donations, increased support from the corporate sector and directly led to their appointment by the State Government as an implementation agency.

With thousands of fundraisers mobilizing billions of Rands for thousands of causes each year, Annemarie Barnard believes there is a wealth of talented individuals, running inspired campaigns supported by passionate volunteers, whose contribution to the non-profit sector has gone unnoticed for too long. “These awards are a great opportunity for us to give recognition to those who are excelling in this field and in so doing inspire others to achieve more”.

For further information on the awards and application details visit www.saifundraising.org.za or email awards@saifundraising.org.za

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