Dozens of nonprofit and civil society organisations (NPOs) gathered in Woodstock, Cape Town, on Thursday, 12 September, for #ThinkGood, an annual event designed for the sector to share expertise, insights, and contacts.

The gathering was coordinated by the NPO Service Providers Network, which connects professionals serving NPOs in South Africa and beyond. Its members work in various fields, including fundraising, financial services, human resources, communications, marketing, training, and legal services.

Inyathelo, an NPO committed to building capacity and sustainability in the nonprofit sector, hosted the event at its Civil Society Hub.

Supporting NPOs Through Collaboration

Zoë Bailey, Operations Manager at Ziyo - Accountants with Heart, speaking on behalf of the NPO Service Providers Network, explained that #ThinkGood was established in 2015 as a sector contribution inspired by International Mandela Day.

“This free event has become a firm favourite on the Cape Town non-profit calendar. Knowing that most organisations are managing their own initiatives on Mandela Day, we hold the event later in the year to allow for greater participation,” said Bailey.

Keynote speakers addressed critical topics such as:

• Technology and AI for NPOs
• Entrepreneurship and impact management frameworks
• Monitoring and evaluation
• Navigating organisational growth phases
• Storytelling as a tool for NPO empowerment

Futurist Charlotte Kemp highlighted the need for innovation: “We must challenge ourselves and equip our sector for the future. New problems require new ways of thinking.”

Inyathelo’s Role in Strengthening Civil Society

Inyathelo’s Acting Executive Director, Feryal Domingo, added, “We are delighted to host this event, a reminder of the importance of ongoing learning.” She emphasised the resources available at the Civil Society Hub, including governance, fundraising, and advancement toolkits, as well as the FundingFinder, a tool to help NPOs identify funding opportunities.

Resources:

• Inyathelo: www.inyathelo.org.za | Email: info@inyathelo.org.za | Phone: 021 465 6981
• NPO Service Providers Network: www.nposerviceprovidersnetwork.co.za

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