Cape Care Fund launched to support struggling non-profits

The newly established Cape Care Fund which aims to boost the resilience of organisations in the social services sector, was launched on Friday June 6, at the Kelvin Grove Club, Newlands.

According to the provincial MEC for the Department of Social Development (DSD), Jaco Londt, the Cape Care Fund (CCF) is a special purpose vehicle created between his department and The Health Foundation of South Africa to raise funds to further support the work of the provincial DSD through vetted, registered, compliant, well-functioning non-profit organisations and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) with a proven track record of quality service delivery in the social services sector, in the province.

Mr Londt said that non-profits and NGOs in the country and province are facing the combined impact of static or reduced government transfers and donor funding in the wake of the country's post-Covid-19 economic downturn.

“Many funders, including the government, have faced reduced income and have had to reduce or even cease funding non-profits altogether,” he said.

According to the provincial social development department, during the past three financial years, various organisations in the province had to close their doors due to budget shortfalls, including:

• 12 non-profit child protection branches rendering statutory services.
• Three Homes for Older Persons.
• 18 community centres for older persons.
• Four non-profit run Child and Youth Care Centres.

“Organisations like these play an essential role alongside the government in promoting the wellbeing of our communities, especially those operating in the social development sector,” said Mr Londt.

Mr. Londt said that through the Cape Care Fund, his organisation is hopeful of taking non-profits and NGOs from surviving to thriving, for the benefit of our most vulnerable residents.

The Health Foundation CEO Harry Grainger said: “The Cape Care Fund exemplifies how innovative financing and strategic collaboration can contribute to improved economic resilience and sustainable development. We invite all stakeholders to join us in this transformative journey, working together towards a sustainable, inclusive, and healthier society."

Also in attendance at the launch were provincial premier Alan Winde, Cape Town mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis, provincial MEC for Infrastructure Tertuis Simmers, and provincial parliament deputy speaker Reagan Allen.

Mr Hill-Lewis said that the city’s non-profits and NGOs operating across all areas of social assistance play a critical role in protecting our city’s most vulnerable residents from hardship, poverty, and suffering. “They are invaluable partners in our mission to bring hope to all Capetonians,” he said, adding that the Cape Care Fund will play a vital role in ensuring that donor money is safeguarded and directed towards the areas of greatest need.

“We are grateful to the provincial government, the Health Foundation, and everyone else who played a part in getting this fund off the ground,” he said.

Mr Winde said: “Across our government and sectors, we must find ways to protect our service delivery capabilities. We have faced many challenges before, with frontline services threatened by fiscal constraints, and together we have found ways to navigate through these issues," adding that the Cape Care Fund is the "perfect example" of the power of partnerships, the result of a deep commitment to collaboration and a commitment to helping those in need, no matter the circumstances.

The Cape Care Fund will be administered by The Health Foundation of South Africa, whose offices are situated in Century City.

For more information about the Cape Care Fund, please visit www.capecarefund.org.za