Reflecting on Resilience and Opportunity By Feryal Domingo, ACTING EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, INYATHELO

Introduction

For the past two years, Inyathelo has been led by an acting executive director at the helm. Despite the challenges posed by a leadership transition, our team has demonstrated exceptional resilience and adaptability. By stepping up and collectively assuming additional responsibilities, they have ensured that our vital services to the nonprofit sector remained uninterrupted. This is a testament to their strength and dedication, which has been the cornerstone of Inyathelo’s success. As I reflect on the past year at Inyathelo, I’m filled with a mix of gratitude and anticipation. Despite the challenges we’ve faced, our team’s unwavering commitment and resilience have enabled us to continue to thrive.

A Year of Growth and Impact

Throughout this time, we’ve continued to be a driving force in the South African nonprofit landscape. Our ability to convene stakeholders, foster dialogue, and drive collective action has been instrumental in addressing critical issues affecting the sector. We’ve been at the forefront of conversations around funding uncertainty, capacity building, and the evolving regulatory landscape. Our work has not only been impactful but also in high demand. Nonprofits and funders alike have increasingly recognised the value of Inyathelo’s offerings, expertise, and support. The positive feedback we’ve received on our capacity-building programmes is a testament to the quality of our offerings and the impact they’re making on the sector. One of the most significant trends we’ve observed this year is the re-emergence of the sector’s need to convene in person, connect, and engage. After years of virtual interactions, there’s a renewed appreciation for the value of face-to-face meetings and collaboration. Inyathelo has been at the forefront of facilitating these connections, playing a key role in setting up, amongst others, a provincial coalition under the #Unmute Civil Society initiative to mobilise the sector in a more coherent way, while also serving on the committee of the national steering group.

Expanding Reach and Capacity Building

In addition to our convening efforts, we’ve also experienced an increase in demand for consulting services in the areas of strengthening governance, fundraising plan development, and reserve building. This indicates a growing recognition by philanthropy and among nonprofits of the importance of long-term sustainability and their willingness to invest in building the capacity to achieve it. We’ve also expanded our reach beyond South Africa, working with organisations across the continent to strengthen their governance and financial resilience. Our partnerships with two international organisations have been particularly fruitful, allowing us to share our expertise and support with a wider audience, spanning 30 countries on the African continent.

Learning and Innovation

As a learning institution, Inyathelo is committed to continuous growth and development. We believe that our ability to adapt and innovate is rooted in our capacity to learn from both our own experiences and the challenges faced by our clients. Through our work with nonprofits across South Africa and the continent, we’ve gained invaluable insights into the sector’s evolving needs and the obstacles it faces. These insights have informed our approach to capacity building, advocacy, and policy development. By learning from our clients’ experiences, we’ve been able to anticipate emerging trends, identify new opportunities, and develop innovative solutions to address the sector’s most pressing challenges. This learning-oriented approach has also helped us to become more resilient and adaptable in the face of uncertainty. Inyathelo’s commitment to supporting the nonprofit sector has led to several key initiatives. We’ve developed a Board skills audit offering to help organisations assess their governance effectiveness. We’ve updated our governance programme to reflect current global best practices. Our website’s resource page is continually refreshed to provide nonprofits with information on the unintended consequences of Recommendation 8 of the Financial Action Task Force Standards (FATF R8). Finally, we’ve enhanced the training modules of our fundraising programmes to ensure participants receive the most up-to-date and relevant information.

Navigating a Changing Landscape

The past year has been marked by significant shifts and changes in the donor landscape. Increased scrutiny from regulatory bodies like the FATF has led to a more challenging environment for nonprofits to secure funding. Recommendation 8 of the FATF has had a profound impact on the sector, requiring nonprofits to implement more robust due diligence and risk management measures. In response to these changes, Inyathelo has played a pivotal role in supporting nonprofits to navigate the new regulatory landscape. We’ve provided platforms for dialogue and resources on compliance requirements and advocated for policies that support the sector’s growth and development. The formation of the Government of National Unity in South Africa has also presented both opportunities and challenges for the nonprofit sector. While the government’s commitment to social justice and development is encouraging, the sector faces uncertainties related to policy changes and resource allocation. Inyathelo is actively engaging with various stakeholders to ensure that the voices and needs of nonprofits are represented in policymaking processes.

Challenges and Opportunities in Higher Education

Higher education institutions in South Africa continue to face significant challenges, including funding shortages and rising costs. These challenges have a direct impact on philanthropy, as universities rely on donations to support their missions and programmes. Inyathelo is committed to supporting higher education institutions in building their fundraising capacity and cultivating a culture of philanthropy. We offer training programmes, resources, and consulting services to help universities develop effective advancement strategies and attract philanthropic support. Inyathelo’s investment in the Annual Survey of Philanthropy in Higher Education (ASPIHE) demonstrates its dedication to supporting a thriving higher education sector and its belief in the power of philanthropy to drive positive change. ASPIHE is a critical tool for understanding philanthropic trends in South African higher education. Since 2013, this comprehensive research project has involved multiple universities, providing valuable insights into donor contributions and their impact on the sector.

Looking Ahead

As we move forward, we’re excited to introduce a revised strategy that builds on our legacy while adapting to the changing landscape. This strategy is grounded in our unwavering commitment to the nonprofit sector and our belief in the power of civil society to drive positive change. We’re also embracing a new approach to leadership, one that is more collaborative and team-centric. By empowering our team and fostering a culture of shared ownership, we’re creating a more resilient and adaptable organisation. I’m confident that with the continued support of our Board, staff, funders, and partners, Inyathelo will continue to be a leading force in the nonprofit sector. We’re poised for growth, innovation, and a bright future.

This article was first published in the 2024 Inyathelo Annual Report.