Valcare, an Impact Funding Platform that has been operating in South Africa for more than 15 years, is providing significant impact with their unique approach to social development.
In their recent annual report reflecting on their financial year 2017/2018, millions of rands in donations and gifts in kind were sustainably and responsibly invested into local communities, reaching over 47 500 beneficiaries.
Ensuring high impact solutions
Valcare believes that the answer to sustainable change in South Africa is collaboration. They engage with communities at grassroots level, working with local leaders and interested parties to map not only their needs, but also the opportunities and options available to them. They then connect the community and multiple stakeholders in the private and public sector to create a holistic local development plan that is agreed upon and owned by everyone. Valcare plays a coordinating role in the implementation of the plan in a way that is achievable, measurable and inclusive to ensure maximum impact and sustainably.
Unifying local nonprofits
To contribute to their unifying approach, Valcare facilitates a membership network of more than 240 nonprofit organisations in the Paarl valley and surrounding areas. These organisations benefit from Valcare’s range of services such as capacity building, coordinated efforts, resource support as well as being part of a united voice. Valcare’s affiliated nonprofit organisations can also apply for funding to support their operations and activities. Those that do apply must go through a vigorous application and due diligence process. Once successful, they are monitored and guided by Valcare throughout the partnership.
Establishing funding partnerships
Because Valcare has a picture of the whole community development ecosystem they are well placed to know the best use of social investments. They work in close partnership with foundations, individuals and corporates to ensure that their social investment provides a quantifiable return on their investment. They collaborate with entities like Val de Vie Foundation, Hanneli Rupert Getuienistrust, The Aslan Trust, Mergon and Nedbank, as well as working closely with the Cape Winelands and Drakenstein municipalities.
“We firmly believe that development projects should be completely community-owned. Valcare merely acts as catalysts, connectors and coordinators in support of their success. We deliver a professional social investment service but we never lose sight of the most important element: the people,” says Ivan Swartz, CEO of Valcare.
Click here to view/download/print Valcare’s Annual Report 2017/2017.- Click here to watch Valcare’s overview video.
- For media enquiries and interviews: Leani Jansen van Vuuren; leani@estb.sg-host.com.
