FAQ

CSI refers to any investment that a funder undertakes over and above its normal business activities to improve the quality of life in disadvantaged communities.

Corporate Social Responsibility is the continuing commitment by businesses to behave ethically and contribute to economic development while improving the quality of life of the workforce and their families as well as that of the local community and society at large. -World Business Council for Sustainability development

• CSR is a broader value-based framework that looks at whether a company conducts its business in an ethically and socially responsible manner
• CSI forms a part of CSR to refer to a company’s financial and non-cash contributions to disadvantaged communities and individuals for the purpose of social upliftment and welfare.
  - The CSI Handbook

CSI funding is an investment for the good image and a better business position of the funder. It enhances a funder’s brand image, creates shareholder value, improves conditions of labour and facilitates the securing of a social licence for businesses to operate while improving the lives of communities. Further to that, CSI provides the opportunity for businesses to score points on the BB-BEE scorecard and allows for tax rebates.

The MAMAS Alliance is a fast growing network of 33 independent and autonomous grassroots organisations, spread across South Africa, who share a common vision of uplifting children aged 0-18 years and ensuring that they are able to reach their greatest potential.

Partners that are supported by Kinderfonds MAMAS, volunteer to be a part of the Alliance and are eager to share ideas, knowledge, innovations and inspire one another.

In order for an NGO to become a beneficiary of Children's Fund MAMAS and a part of the MAMAS Alliance, the following criteria, amongst others, need to be met: 

• NGOs must provide direct, concrete, structural, effective, high quality care and assistance to South Africa’s most vulnerable children;
• NGOs must be community-based local or regional initiatives;
• NGOs must produce evidence of proactive efforts being undertaken to self-finance in whatever shape or form;
• NPO registration;
• A reputable Board;
• Accurate administration and financial management;
• Project must be annually audited by an independent Chartered Accountant S.A.

The MAMAS Alliance Secretariat is the service centre and administrative office of the Alliance, based in Johannesburg, which will facilitate, serve and help grow the Alliance towards a strong network of grassroots NGO that will ignite a grassroots movement of people and initiatives that will change the future for South Africa’s vulnerable children.

The MAMAS Alliance Secretariat provides free unburdening services to both CSI investors and NPOs to facilitate win-win CSI partnerships. All costs incurred to operate this service are fully borne by Kinderfonds MAMAS who sees this initiative as a contribution to sustainable funding of its NPO Partners.

No, MAMAS will also provide other support services aimed towards developing a stronger Alliance, including the introduction of strategic partners, conferences, the exchange of expertise and experience, shared initiatives, specialised assistance etc.

PBO is an organisation registered with SARS which renders services to the public.

• A non-profit company; 
• A trust formed in the Republic of South Africa; 
• An association of persons formed or established in the Republic as a voluntary association of persons.

Rendering services within the country for the benefit of the public for non-profit purposes.

• Registration as a PBO creates a win-win partnership between funders and NPOs; 
• For other companies it is policy not to fund any organisation which is not a PBO.

Kinderfonds MAMAS is a Dutch organisation that supports the MAMAS (and a few PAPAS) of South Africa; strong, impressive men and women who stand up for children in severe poverty. These MAMAS provide daily care, protection, food, affection and love to tens of thousands of children in 56 wonderful organisations. Kinderfonds MAMAS provides both monetary and operational support to these organisations. Kinderfonds MAMAS happily finances the CSI initiative so the CSI services can be rendered at no costs to neither the NGO nor the businesses. You are welcome to visit the Kinderfonds MAMAS website. 

All funding that is secured by the MAMAS Alliance Secretariat will go directly and fully to the NPO and not via the MAMAS Alliance Secretariat, nor will the Secretariat receive any fee, percentage or provision from this funding arrangement.

The Secretariat’s role is to initiate, coordinate, facilitate and support the relationship. Any agreement between the funder and the recipient will create an important relationship between these parties. The ultimate responsibility for maintaining the relationship lies with the NPO and funder. 

In principle the feedback (reporting) to the funder will follow MAMAS’ existing reporting structure. This may need adaption and editing (by the NPO or the CSI Team), depending on what activity is funded.

The current reporting system used by Kinderfonds MAMAS is a follows:

• Two progress reports (one in July and one in November);
• An annual project report in April regarding previous funding year ending end of February, including I&E statement (not yet audited)
• An audited financial I&E statement in November
• Reporting can be customised to meet individual funder requirements.

• SARS 
• DTI 
• Media 
• Communities 
• Customers/Clients 
• Shareholders

During the SHARE conference held in 2014, there was a discussion by all organisations funded by Kinderfonds MAMAS to join forces and call themselves an Alliance of grassroots childcare organisations under the umbrella name MAMAS. After the conference, all organisations discussed this initiative at home and confirmed their interest and positive decision to participate.

The MAMAS Alliance Secretariat will serve as an intermediary that requires no fee in order to provide its unburdening services to NPOs and funders. The Secretariat is not an agent, but an instrument of support for the 23 Alliance partners.  

• The Alliance currently has 43 well-established partners who share the vision of changing the lives and creating a brighter future for the most underprivileged children in South Africa, one child at a time.
• Please click here for more information about each partner.

The current partners of the Alliance are spread across 7 provinces in South Africa, namely Kwa-Zulu Natal, Eastern Cape, Western Cape, Gauteng, Mpumalanga, Free State and Limpopo.