Change in Action is a platform for Non-Profit Organisations (NPO) in Durban to strengthen their capacity and reach out to the public, bringing community needs and resources together.
“Such valuable work is being done around Durban and many organisations appeal to us for assistance,” says Gateway Marketing Manager, Ayesha Sewbaran. “For the second year, we are partnering with ‘We are Durban’ and the Hollywood Foundation to help NPOs ensure that their impact is felt far and wide.
“As Gateway, we are excited to support the initiative and share our physical and virtual space as outreach platforms for the 20 selected Non-Profit Organisations.”
The campaign started in May this year when 181 NPOs applied to participate. ‘We are Durban’, is an NPO founded in 2010 by Linda Morrison We Are Durban exists to empower social dignity organisations in eThekwini to excel in their mandate. We Are Durban together with campaign partners Gateway and Hollywood Foundation vetted and selected 20 organisations from all the applications.
Managing Director, Morrison says over 3,500 registered NPOs are contributing to communities in eThekwini. “A lack of awareness is preventing people from accessing the services these organisations provide, and also preventing volunteers from connecting with causes they’re passionate about.”
The Hollywood Foundation (HWF) is another valued partner in the campaign. In the run-up to the Change in Action NPO Fair 2024, HWF and We Are Durban have conducted four training sessions for the NPOs, many of which have limited marketing material and skills.
“NPOs often start organically and 100% of their efforts and funds are channelled into what they’re doing, leaving very little for marketing,” says Mpho Dintwa, , CSI Manager, Hollywood Foundation. “By enhancing the skills of Non-Profit Organisations, we help them attract more funding and become more resilient in facing challenges. – with these added skills they now have they can market themselves more professionally.”
“We were very excited to host the Change in Action NPO Fair 2024 on the Cinema Level on Friday 6 September from 9 am to 9 pm,” says Sewbaran, just a day after World Charity Day.
“We invited everyone to Gateway to visit the 20 NPOs exhibiting and learn more about their work. Our hope was that they could find an organisation to support or find an organisation offering help where you know of someone in need.”
Sewbaran says the first Change in Action NPO Fair, held over three days last year was a great success. “The organisations are very accessible in our space, making it easy to reach out and gain social media followers, sign up volunteers and pitch to funders.
The 20 organisations work in diverse areas, from children’s education, mental health, youth programmes, water safety, STEM skills development, palliative care and more. Patrons are also encouraged to find out more about the NPOs on Gateway’s website at www.gatewayworld.co.za