If you’re an entrepreneur with a passion for making a positive impact in your community, establishing a nonprofit venture can be a fulfilling endeavour. Nonprofits play a vital role in addressing societal needs and creating meaningful change at a local, provincial, or national level. If you have a long-term outlook and want your nonprofit to do meaningful work for years to come, then it is important to establish a legal identity for your nonprofit by officially registering it.

There are many benefits to registering your nonprofit, such as being able to apply for grants from donors/corporates, having a professional identity and being able to apply for tax- exempt status which can further incentivise people to donate to your cause. It is important to understand that there are different nonprofit structures, each with their respective legal processes. Navigating the legalities of any business venture, whether for-profit or non-profit, can get overwhelming at times which is ultimately why we have compiled this easily-digestible guide for you.

This guidebook will guide you through the various nonprofit structures in South Africa, ensuring you meet the necessary legal requirements and set your organisation up for success.

By the end of this guidebook, you should:

• Understand the difference between legal nonprofit structures in South Africa

• Know how to register a NPC, NPO and PBO, respectively

• Understand the importance of staying compliant and the correct processes to follow in order to stay compliant