Durban, KwaZulu-Natal: Non-Profit Organisation’s (NPOs) in Durban have been playing a crucial role in various communities for years. Currently, there are around 3 500 NPOs in Durban, that are operating at various levels and offering various services to improve livelihoods. Many of these organisations are unknown to the public, and often work behind-the-scenes to make a difference. For this reason, the Hollywood Foundation has teamed up with We Are Durban Social Upliftment NPC and Gateway Theatre of Shopping for the Change in Action NPO Fair, which will give NPOs a fantastic opportunity to showcase what they do to uplift communities, and in the process, gain vital marketing skills to improve their services in the future.
Community upliftment is at the heart of these three organisations. The Hollywood Foundation made a natural decision to collaborate with Gateway Theatre of Shopping and We Are Durban Social Upliftment NPC to create a positive and sustainable solution to tackle some of the challenges that NPOs face when marketing themselves. Many NPOs take care of the most vulnerable citizens in society and rely on many funds and donations from the public to continue with their services. The NPO Fair also has a goal to inspire people to engage with these organisations and become a part of the action of being the change, either through donations or volunteering efforts.
The Change in Action NPO Fair is set to take place from 24 – 26 March 2023, and 20 NPOs will be given a chance to exhibit what they do to make a difference within their communities. On 10 March 2023, the selected 20 organisations will also be required to attend a compulsory training session at Olive Tree Church in Morningside, where they will be upskilled on social media and ways to enhance their marketing and presentation skills.
“We have seen over the years that many NPOs find marketing challenging – mainly due to the fact that their expertise lies more in the work of their cause than in the marketing field. This is why we are so thrilled to be a part of the Change in Action NPO Fair as it will leave NPOs with some of the tools they need to raise awareness for, and continue their great work,” said Michelle Shelley, Marketing Manager for Gateway Theatre of Shopping.
“With so much going on in the world, it’s up to everyone to engage in some way to bring about the change we want to see in our own communities. We cannot expect someone else to do it for us. We want to showcase some of the change-making organisations, where the public and business can plug in and bolster their efforts to bring positive change in Durban. On the flip side, we want to inspire people to engage and become part of the action of being the change – either with one of the NPOs they see there or another one. If each person just gave a little of themselves to the good of mankind this world would be a very different place,” said Linda Morrison, Managing Director for We Are Durban.
“We are so thrilled to join forces with We Are Durban Social Upliftment NPC and Gateway Theatre of Shopping for the Change in Action NPO Fair. As a community-focussed organisation, we are always looking for new ways to make a positive impact on those who need a helping hand. We hope that this event will encourage individuals to volunteer their time at NPOs who are striving to improve livelihoods on a daily basis,” said Vuyisile Ngobese, Public Relations Officer for the Hollywood Foundation.
