There are two ways of registering Non-Profit Organisations in South Africa.
Non-Profit Organisation (SOCDEV)
The Directorate for Non-Profit Organisations – known as Department of Social Development (SOCDEV).
Requirements:
- Complete NPO Application Form:
- Prepare a Constitution as required by the Directorate
- Form a committee of not less than 5 members
Who should register:
Any organisation whose interest is to benefit the public and wants to operate for non-profit activities, Sport Clubs, Youth Clubs, Dance/Theatre groups, Associations, Learning Institutions, to mention just a few.
Duration:
Registering with SOCDEV will take between 8 to 12 months (maybe more) to process your application.
What will I get after registration:
- Original Copy of NPO Registration Certificate
- Six Digit NPO number 123-456
- Stamped copy of the Constitution
- Guide-line letter of how to make reports to SOCDEV
Change to the Organisation – Committee
Once the organisation is registered, it is obligated, in terms of sections 18 and 19, to submit within nine (9) months after the end of its financial year, annual reports ( a narrative report, annual financial statement and an accounting officer’s report) including any changes to the organisation’s constitution, physical address and office bearers.
- A thirty (30) days notice is served to all those registered NPOs whose reports are due as per requirements of section 20 of the NPO Act.
- Failure to comply with this notice, an organisation’s registration status is cancelled in terms of section 21 for the NPO Act. http://www.dsd.gov.za
Non-Profit Company (NPC) (CIPC)
Company Intellectual Property Commission (CIPC)
Requirements:
- Do Name Reservation Application
- Complete NPC Application
- Prepare a Memorandum of Incorporation
- Minimum of 3 directors required
- Option to have members but it is not a requirement
Who should register:
Any organisation whose interest is to benefit the public and wants to operate for non-profit activities, Sport Clubs, Youth Clubs, Dance/Theatre groups, Associations, Learning Institutions, to mention just a few.
Duration:
Registering with CIPC will take about 2 weeks to process your application, however this could change depending on delays at CIPC.
What will I get after registration:
- Original Registration Certificate – CoR 14.3
- Registration number, for example 2017/123456/08
- CoR 14.1, CoR 14.1A and memorandum of Incorporation (CoR 15.1C)
Changes to the Organisation – Directors:
- Resignation and appointments of directors must be lodged with CIPC within 10 calendar days.
- You will receive a CoR 39 and you need to inform SARS and the Bank of the amendments.
- You need to submit your annual return to CIPC annually on the date of incorporation of the company within 30 days to avoid penalties being incurred by CIPC and to avoid deregistration http://www.cipc.co.za
Benefits and Differences:
Both forms of registration carry the same benefits of a Non-Profit Organisation. If you register an NPC with CIPC, your organization may not qualify for funding from the Department of Social Development until you lodge an application and register your NPC in their data base, but you can still receive funding from all other sources.