Indicative of a critical evolution in philanthropy, donors are increasingly transitioning from transactional, once-off funding models,  toward relationship-driven partnerships focused on measurable impact. This according to Precious Mulambo, Philanthropy Advice Specialist at Nedbank Private Wealth, speaking at the annual ThinkGood event recently held at Inyathelo’s Sustainability Hub in Cape Town.

Held under the theme "Under Pressure: Breaking Down and Managing Pressure Points," the one-day conference was a collaboration by the NPO Service Provider Network, that provided a vital platform for sharing, learning, inspiration, and connection.

With NPOs navigating mounting financial constraints, shifting funding landscapes, and organisational fatigue, the sector welcomed this platform.

NPO sector leaders, specialists, and practitioners gathered at the Inyathelo Sustainability Hub for the annual ThinkGood 2026 event on 22 October.

The event tackled the harsh realities facing civil society head-on, offering participants a safe space to acknowledge systemic pressures, ranging from funding shortages and inadequate infrastructure to administrative strain and staff burnout, while equipping them with actionable tools to build resilient, future-proof organisations.

Feryal Domingo, Acting Executive Director of Inyathelo, highlighted the phenomenal response from attendees who welcomed the opportunity to talk openly about sector-wide pressures.

“We feel the pressure, but sometimes we can’t mention it, note it, give it a name, or talk about it because it depends on who’s listening,” Domingo reflected. “Today was that safe space, i.e. sitting amongst your peers where you don’t have to be shy to acknowledge, 'I have the same issue, I’m under pressure because I don’t have the right staff in place, I don’t have enough staff, I don’t have the financial resources, or even the infrastructure to do and live the mission of the organisation.”

Pamela Silwana, Founder of Gogo’s Community Kitchen, could relate only too well to the daily pressure.

“We work with the community, then with funding and being more professional it means reports and funding proposals. However, given that we’re also operational on the ground, our capacity is severely stretched. And if the funding dries up, food in the stomachs of the children that we work with, will also dry up. So there's always pressure with that," she said.

Throughout the day, participants engaged in robust discussions and plenary panels featuring community leaders such as Sher’Neil Savel of the 9Miles Project, exploring how NPOs navigate developmental milestones and organisational maturity.

Shifting the mindset from internal dialogue to community connection, Hani Du Toit, Inclusion Specialist, Executive Coach, and founder of We Belong Africa, addressed psychological and operational roadblocks. She emphasised that navigating external pressure must begin with an internal shift, encouraging participants to examine their own mindsets, self-talk, and conditioned biases.

“We are always listening through a filter informed by our past experiences, our world view, and how terrible we think the world is this morning,” Du Toit noted. She challenged delegates to exercise the courage to release old disappointments and scarcity mentalities to make room for trust, connection, and new possibilities. “When we can release bias, judgment, shame, or blame, and hold space for community, connection, and trust, then we can speak powerfully.”

Adding a veteran sector perspective, Professor Eric Atmore, Director of the Centre for Early Childhood Development (CECD), addressed the structural vulnerabilities facing NPOs, pointing out that survival demands proactive strategic planning rather than reactive crisis management.

“All organisations are under pressure to some degree, but pressure doesn’t just occur - there’s a build-up,” Prof. Atmore stated. Drawing from decades of experience in the ECD sector, he warned against short-term thinking. “If you’re not thinking about the year 2030 now, you’re not going to be around in 2030.”

He reassured delegates that substantial funding does exist within South Africa, pointing to billions available across corporate social investment (CSI) budgets, government allocations, and trusts and foundations, while emphasising that success lies in strategic, face-to-face donor engagement rather than impersonal proposals.

With a call for collaborative resilience, the ThinkGood2026 conference concluded with closing reflections and practical break-away workshops covering governance and risk management, business models for social enterprises, mindfulness under pressure, intelligent recruitment, and organisational responses to burnout.

The day would not have been as effective, without the selfless contributions of all the other speakers, including the MC on the day, celebrated author and book coach, Kyle Jantjies, Malcolm Boyd, CEO of Third Sector Insights, Surika Behrens who leads the Social Enterprise Academy’s South Africa Hub, Marriet Visser, leadership strategist and author of Game Changers, Megan Galloway, a director at Thoughtsmiths, Jana Belter of Luceo Solutions, Debbie Lewis of HR Overload, and Giles Gillett, Chief Executive Officer of the National Association of Social Change Entities in Education (NASCEE),

As NPOs face an increasingly complex socio-economic landscape, events like ThinkGood serve as a crucial catalyst, reminding civil society leaders that while systemic pressures are real, they can be met with collective wisdom, strategic innovation, and unyielding community resilience.