Establishing the credentials of an NGO

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What is an NGO?

Introduction to NGOs Definition of NGOs What is an NPO? NGOs in South Africa Establishing the credentials of an NGO Engaging with an NGO Regional Summary

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When you check the credentials of an NGO it is important to locate the organisation in relation to the country’s legislation and regulation, the programme areas and/or sectors it addresses and its levels of activity and service delivery.

Bear in mind that this context varies significantly from region to region and there are many factors that determine what contributions and services an NGO provides.

Prior to engaging with any NGO, we recommend a number of steps to be taken. You should not take anything for granted and establish the organisation’s bone fides at every turn. In this section you’ll find a checklist and a suggested way of approaching an NGO to ensure that it can provide appropriate levels of accountability, response, sustainability and developmental partnering.

Some critical questions that should be asked

• Is the organisation properly constituted? Does it have a written constitution?
• How long has it been operating?
• Does it operate according to its stated objectives?
• Does it operate within a broader network of similar organisations?
• Who do they partner or engage with?
• Which networks do they belong to?
• Who are the board members?
• Any success stories?
• Has it implemented a networked response to a social need?
• Does it duplicate the services of other organisations, resulting in competition for scarce resources?
• Does it have good democratic governance infrastructure?
• Is it soundly structured as an organisation?
• Is it registered as an NPO with an NPO registration number
• Is the NPO registration current? (Check on NPO directorate database [http://www.npo.gov.za] and follow the links)
• Is there good financial management and good financial reporting?
• Can you easily make contact with the organisation head/leader/director, chairperson and financial officer?
• Are there reliable telecommunications facilities (telephone, fax, mobile/sms)?
• Is there reliable road, postal and courier access? Sometimes courier services are used

instead of postal services – this is more expensive but also more secure and reliable.

• What kind of security is there? – including social, property/work place and ICT

security

Some other questions that could be asked

• Does it have access to email and/or internet facilities? Access to internet cafes can be

sufficient.

• Does it have a website or plans for a website?
• Does it have a well-established public profile?
• Does it have a marketing strategy?
• Is the organisational brand well established?

Suggested actions and checklist before making first contact

• Accessing public references, media or publications: Do search-engine research to

establish whether the organisation has a web presence;

• Find out about the staff and board members involved; do search-engine research to

establish the leadership credentials of the individuals involved;

• Establish what banking and financial services are used by the organisation;
• What access and communication facilities does it have access to in terms of language,

telephone, email and post;

• What infrastructure and transport resources does it have: how easy is it to get to,

what are the travel requirements (e.g. visas and health considerations distances, road conditions, transport services and accommodation) involved if you have to visit the site.

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NGOs in South Africa | Engaging with an NGO