With NGOs facing a shrinking donor pool following the withdrawal of major funders like USAID, the Border Kei Chamber of Business’s (BKCOB) NGO development programme is stepping in to help.
Now in its fourth year, the initiative — run in partnership with the University of Fort Hare (UFH) — equips NGOs with vital skills in governance, financial management, marketing, and fundraising to enhance their sustainability.
The fourth cohort of the programme was launched on February 26. The programme has had notable success in improving the fortunes of essential NGOs in the city including recent alumni, Future Roses Day Care Centre which, through the skills acquired with the programme, went on to win almost R100,000 in donor funding and was a recipient at last year’s Link FM Inspiration Awards.
In East London, NGOs are often the only lifeline in communities grappling with chronic hunger, unemployment, gender-based violence, and animal welfare — stepping in where government institutions fall short.
Yet, many struggle to secure long-term funding, with donors preferring short-term projects over operational costs like salaries and fuel. This financial uncertainty puts NGOs at risk of burnout and limits their ability to plan strategically.
Spanning eight months, the programme includes ‘Perfect Your Pitch’ training to sharpen fundraising skills, as well as access to corporate mentorship and CSI partnership opportunities. “With the donor pool shrinking and resources drying up, NGOs must be equipped with strategic skills to access available funding and ensure long-term viability,” UFH business management lecturer Mari Ford said.
Programme co-ordinator Galit Cohen echoed this, saying while NGOs played a critical role as government partners, funding and donor fatigue threatened their survival.
“The passion, the causes, and the people are there — we just need funding,” she said.
By teaching NGOs how to secure both local and international funding, sustain operations, and educate donors on the need for core cost support, the BKCOB’s initiative continues to be a crucial tool in strengthening the sector’s impact.
