INYATHELO PHILANTHROPY AWARDS

Awards to honour extraordinary people in South Africa

Inyathelo – The South African Institute for Advancement is a world-recognised organisation dedicated to building a sustainable South African civil society. Its core work is to advance social change by working with key institutions and non-profit organisations to ensure their long-term sustainability. This is done by developing the capacity of civil society to use private investment from such companies to better serve the community, whilst working with organisations to develop their resource mobilisation skills. The Institute promotes social responsibility, personal philanthropy, voluntarism and self-reliance.

Now in its fourth year, The Inyathelo Philanthropy Award recognises those individuals who are making a sustainable difference in their communities. Many of those who have been honoured do their work without fanfare but with a warm philanthropic spirit - often so infectious in nature that it inspires those around them to volunteer their own time, services and resources to make life better for the less fortunate in our society.

“Individuals, organisations and communities are being assisted financially on a daily basis by amazing South Africans. Without this assistance many of these entities would not be able to survive, especially in these very tough economic times,” says Shelagh Gastrow, Executive Director, Inyathelo-The South African Institute for Advancement.

The awards are not for foundations or trusts, although the system acknowledges that the assistance they give to many is invaluable. What the system looks for are people of all ages and from all walks of life, who give of their own resources and are making a difference through strategic social giving.”

“All of our past and new awardees’ stories are used to inspire others to make a difference, too. Never before has it been more important to encourage South Africans to be more socially responsible. The organisations that awardees have supported have in turn benefited from the increased awareness of what they do.”

The awardees of the 2010 Inyathelo Philanthropy Awards organised by the South African Institute for Advancement – Inyathelo, will be announced at a gala dinner to be held in Cape Town on November 15 2010.

For more information go to www.inyathelo.co.za or contact Inyathelo on 021 465 6981.