Key Insights

– 2025 Social Economy Trends & Insights Report

Across South Africa, thousands of nonprofit organisations are delivering education, healthcare, food security, and frontline social services — often where government or business cannot reach. Yet many of these organisations are now facing collapse.

At Elimu Hub, we believe that understanding the challenges facing NPOs today is the first step toward building smarter, more sustainable support. That’s why we’ve launched a national NPO survey; and why we’re inviting you to be part of this crucial moment for civil society.

📊 The Stats That Should Stop You

• 280,000+ The number of registered NPOs in South Africa yet many are inactive or on the brink of closure.
• 60% – The funding cut reported by child protection agencies in the Western Cape in 2023.
• Thousands – The number of NPOs deregistered in 2023–2024 due to compliance gaps and capacity issues.
• 1 in 3 – NPOs operate without a strategic plan, according to preliminary data from Elimu Hub’s national survey.

A Sector in Silent Crisis

The 2025–2026 Trends & Insights Report by Next Generation Consultants paints a clear picture:

“The nonprofit sector is under severe pressure; financially, structurally, and emotionally.”

Key challenges include:

• Reduced international funding (e.g. USAID and Global Fund withdrawals)
• Over-regulation and limited admin support
• Increasing demand without infrastructure
• Donor expectations disconnected from real timelines

In Gauteng, shelters for women and children have closed. In the Western Cape, organisations running foster care and emergency child support are barely staying afloat. And yet, the need has never been greater.

Why the Elimu Hub Survey Matters

Elimu Hub is currently running a national survey to gather data on what South African NPOs truly need to function, grow, and lead.

We’re collecting insights on:

• Fundraising & donor pressure
• Staffing and talent gaps
• Digital tools and reporting systems
• Strategic and operational capacity

The goal?
To co-design toolkits, training, and support systems that are built on real needs, not donor assumptions. This data will help us and potential partners shape better interventions across the non-profit ecosystem.

Why Business Should Care

NPOs are often unseen drivers of social progress yet they’re deeply entangled with business goals like:

• ESG performance
• Supplier development
• Community trust
• Brand equity

Corporate funders are increasingly being asked not just to give, but to partner more meaningfully.

What’s needed now:
✅ Multi-year support, not once-off funding
✅ Investment in back-office systems and digital tools
✅ Shared impact measurement and data systems
✅ Support for core staff, not just service delivery

“Resilience must be built around people and systems — not just projects.”