What Is An NGO?
A non-profit organization (NGO) is a business established for the public good or another purpose related to one or more cultural or social pursuits, as well as shared or group interests. A non-profit organization’s earnings and assets must be utilized to further the goals outlined in its MOI and cannot be distributed to its founders, members, directors, officers, or anybody connected to any of them.
How To Run An NGO?
A non-profit organization may be registered with or without members and must have at least three incorporators and three directors. It is not necessary for a non-profit organization to have members. People who participate in a non-profit organization’s activities, such churchgoers or pension fund members, are considered to be its members. Non-profit organizations can be registered with either a standard or a personalized Memorandum of Incorporation (MOI).You must register with the Department of Social Development if you want to obtain grants or donor funding. The National Lottery Board accepts funding applications from nonprofit organizations that are registered with the Department of Social Development.
Creating An NGO In South Africa
You can submit an application for registration if your company is non-profit and not a part of the government. To register as a non-profit organization (NPO), visit the provincial social development office that is most convenient for you.Trusts, corporations, and other groups of people founded for public purposes are examples of NPOs.
Your NPO will benefit from registration because of the following reasons:
- increases your financing opportunities and reputation
- provides tax incentives
- enables your organization to obtain a bank account.
You must be one of the following to register:
- Community-based organization (CBO),
- Non-governmental organization (NGO), and
- Religious organization
How To Start An NGO In South Africa
Send the completed NPO application form, two copies of the foundation documents, and other required materials to the provincial social development office in your area:
- Trust – Deeds of trust and court-issued letters of authorization
- Section 21 – Memorandum and Articles of Association and Certificate of Incorporation
- Constitution of a voluntary association
The provisions of Section 12 (A-O) of the Nonprofit Organizations Act, 1997, must be met by the NPO’s formation documents (Act 71 of 1997). Your application will be turned down if you don’t comply with that. You can submit your application in person at the Department of Social Development, 134 Pretorius Street, HSRC Building, Pretoria, or you can mail it to The Directorate, Non-profit Organizations, Department of Social Development, Private Bag X901, Pretoria, 0001. You may appeal to the panel arbitrators if you’re not happy with how your organization’s certificate was rejected or revoked. Once registered, the organization must submit its annual report nine months after the end of its fiscal year. A narrative report and a financial report should be included in the annual report.
The Timeframe Of Registration
The complete registration process might take over two months.
A note acknowledging receipt of your application will be sent to you by the department. If your application satisfies the requirements of the Nonprofit Organizations Act, 1997, a registration certificate will be issued.The registration is a free service.
