THE uThungulu Community Foundation (UCF) last year issued grants to the value of R505 000 to sustainable, deserving and needy local non-profit organisations.
With the help of local corporates and businesses, it hopes to exceed that amount this year.
‘It’s not merely a matter of helping to set up businesses that provide jobs and incoming; what we do addresses socio-economic challenges that continue to bedevil our local communities,’ says UCF CEO, Chris Mkhize.
‘These include: high levels of unemployment, extreme forms of poverty, low agricultural output, drug abuse; the poor state of education which prevents sustained socio-economic development; diminishing water and electricity supplies; our high crime rate and the general ill state of basic and higher education.
The Foundation, which operates under the patronage of His Majesty, King Goodwill Zwelithini, appeals to Corporate Social Investment managers to consider playing a part to help meet these challenges.
‘We all need one another in effectively tackling community issues,’ says Mkhize.
‘The Foundation, among other things, was established to provide community leadership by serving as a convenor and catalyst to resolve conflicting and divergent community problems.
‘We request companies to us in our fundraising effort to capacitate registered and organised community-based organisations that promote and develop the Foundation’s mission and development objectives.
‘Any financial contribution, no matter how large or small, would enable us to issue even more grants to local non-profit organisations.
‘We are proud of our unbroken record of remaining one of the leading community foundations in South Africa.
‘The Foundation is currently sharing its experiences and achievements with a significant number of other emerging and existing sister organisations both in South Africa and globally.’
For more information, Chris Mkhize can be contacted on 082 692 6405.
