I'm new to running an NPO. Which of your guides should I read first?

If you are just starting your journey, I recommend beginning with the foundational guides in the Social Development Hub Start with "What Are Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) in South Africa?" to understand the sector, followed by "The Ultimate Guide to Community Development" to grasp the core principles of practice. This will give you a strong strategic foundation.

Where can I find free software and digital tools for my NPO in South Africa?

My Essential Digital Toolkit is the best place to start. I specifically review and recommend the best free and low-cost tools for local NPOs. This includes information on accessing free premium software through programmes like Microsoft's partnership with Phambano, which provides free Office 365 licenses to qualifying NPOs. The goal is to help you build a powerful tech stack without a large budget. If you are still struggling after reading these resources, then I suggest a Digital Systems Audit to find out how you can build a truly efficient and cost-effective technology strategy.

How can these guides help my NPO with its funding and strategy?

These resources are designed to directly support your organisation's sustainability and funding strategy. The guides in the M&E Hub show you how to build the systems needed to provide the data-driven evidence that funders now demand. The guides in the Social Development Hub help you align your work with national frameworks like the NDP, strengthening your proposals. The Case Studies Hub provides concrete examples of success, which you can use to inform your own strategy and demonstrate proven models to potential donors. Finally, to put that strategy into action, our guide to the 10 Best Free & Low-Cost Fundraising Tools for South African Nonprofits (2025) equips you with the best technology to manage donor relationships and streamline your fundraising campaigns.

What key topics do your resources for South African nonprofits cover?

My resource library is organised into four main hubs to help you find exactly what you need. These are: Social Development, where you'll find guides on community engagement and national policy; Monitoring & Evaluation (M&E), which provides frameworks for proving your impact; Digital Tools, offering curated lists of the best software; and Case Studies, which showcase real-world strategies and results.

I'm looking for a resource on a topic you haven't covered. Can I make a suggestion?

Absolutely. This resource library is built to serve the needs of practitioners like you. If there is a specific challenge you're facing or a topic you'd like to see covered, please send your suggestions via my contact page. I am always looking for new ideas for guides and toolkits that can help the sector.

Are all your resources free?

All the resources available on my site are free. I do, however, provide premium resources for my clients who purchase premium audits.

Resources for Evidence Systems, Database Rebuilds and Automation

This library is for teams that need trustworthy data and reporting outputs under real scrutiny

You will find practical guides, templates and case notes on structured intake, database and workflow rework, quality assurance, traceability, and AI-assisted analysis for research, policy, and delivery environments.

Explore the library

Book a 20-minute scoping call

Start with the problem you are solving

Database and intake rework

Fix forms, fields, IDs, validation and data structure so information is usable later.

Workflow automation and QA

Reduce manual admin, introduce checkpoints, and stop errors before they reach reporting.

Evidence and reporting outputs

Turn messy qualitative & quantitative inputs into traceable findings and outputs.

*If you want this built for your team, see Services or book a scoping call.

Featured & Latest Resources

Start here. These are the newest and most-read resources, chosen because they map to real delivery work: intake design, evidence workflows, automation patterns, and reporting that holds up when reviewed.

Radical Trust and Unconditional Cash Transfers: What Donors and Nonprofits Need to Know

01 Dec 2025

Unconditional Cash Transfers Case Study

Best Marketing Tools for Nonprofits in 2025 (with South African Tips)

17 Oct 2025

Marketing Tools List

From Brand Document to Brand Behaviour

26 Nov 2025

26 Nov 2025 Newsletter

Top 6 No-Code Website Builders for Nonprofits in South Africa (2025)

15 Oct 2025

Website Builders List

Before You Change Your Logo, Fix This First

17 Nov 2025

17 Nov 2025 Newsletter

Build Your Startup/NPO Site on Framer (2025): Pricing, Integrations, Hosting & Alternatives

13 Oct 2025

Framer Guide

The Evidence Systems Letter

One practical email when I publish something worth saving.

Short, field-tested notes on database rebuilds, intake and workflow automation, QA and governance, evidence synthesis, and reporting outputs that need to be credible. Written for teams working in research, policy, and complex delivery.

All Resources

Browse the full library in one place

Use search and filters to find what you need, whether you are improving your intake and database structure, automating a workflow, or tightening reporting quality and traceability.

Radical Trust & Unconditional Cash Transfers

01 Dec 2025

Unconditional Cash Transfers Case Study

Best Marketing Tools for Nonprofits (2025)

17 Oct 2025

Marketing Tools List

Google Ad Grants (South Africa): Eligibility, Setup & 5% CTR

13 Oct 2025

Google Ad Grants Resource

Brand Touchpoints Audit: Free Template + Guide

06 Oct 2025

Brand Touchpoints Audit

a person holding a blue calculator in their hand

10 Best Payment Gateways South Africa (2025)

30 Sept 2025

Best Payment Gateways List

The Ultimate Guide to Artificial Intelligence (AI) for Nonprofits in South Africa by Romanos Boraine

The Ultimate Guide to AI for Nonprofits in South Africa

14 Jul 2025

Nonprofit AI Guide

Creating a Theory of Change: A Step-by-Step Guide for South African NPOs

Theory of Change: A Step-by-Step Guide for SA NPOs

28 Jun 2025

Theory of Change Guide

The Ultimate Guide to Community Development in South Africa (2025) by Romanos Boraine

The Guide to Community Development in South Africa (2025)

17 Jun 2025

Community Development Guide

Romanos Boraine - 7 Signs Your NPO is Wasting Money on Inefficient Systems

7 Ways NPOs Waste Money on Inefficient Digital Systems

17 Jun 2025

Inefficient Digital Systems Guide

Top 11 Free Cybersecurity & IT Tools for Nonprofits in South Africa (2025)

Free Cybersecurity Tools for SA NPOs - Romanos Boraine

19 May 2025

Cybersecurity Tools Guide

8 Free Project Management Tools for Lean Nonprofit Teams in South Africa (2025) - Romanos Boraine

Project Management Tools for NPOs (2025) - Romanos Boraine

17 May 2025

Project Management Tools Guide

From Brand Document to Brand Behaviour

26 Nov 2025

26 Nov 2025 Newsletter

Top 6 No-Code Website Builders for Nonprofits (2025)

15 Oct 2025

Website Builders List

Situational Analysis (South Africa): Free Practical Audit Template for NPOs & SMEs

Free Situational Analysis Template for SA Organisations

08 Oct 2025

Situational Analysis Template

Free SWOT Analysis Template for NPOs & SMEs

03 Oct 2025

SWOT Analysis Template

10 AI Tools That Can Save Your NPO Time and Money Today by Romanos Boraine

10 Best AI Tools for Charities & NPOs in South Africa (2025)

15 Jul 2025

AI Tools Guide

What is Community-Led Monitoring? A Practical Guide for South African NPOs

What is Community-Led Monitoring (CLM)? - A Guide for NPOs

02 Jul 2025

Community-Led Monitoring Guide

The Ultimate Guide to NPO Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) in South Africa: Measure Your Impact

Guide to NPO M&E in South Africa - Romanos Boraine

23 Jun 2025

M&E Guide

10 Community Projects in South Africa That Are Truly Changing Lives - Romanos Boraine

10 Inspiring Community Projects in South Africa (2025)

17 Jun 2025

Community Project Case Studies

A cartoon illustration of a busy South African public service center, with diverse citizens at service counters. An elderly man holds a pamphlet mentioning 'Batho Pele', illustrating the 'People First' principle in action.

The 8 Batho Pele Principles: A Guide for SA - Romanos Boraine

16 Jun 2025

Batho Pele Guide

Top 11 Free & Discounted Design and Marketing Tools for Nonprofits and Startups in South Africa (2025) by Romanos Boraine

Free Design & Marketing Tools for SA NPOs - Romanos Boraine

19 May 2025

Design & Marketing Tools Guide

10 Best Free & Low-Cost Fundraising Tools for South African Nonprofits (2025) - Romanos Boraine

10 Fundraising Tools for SA NPOs (2025) - Romanos Boraine

17 May 2025

Fundraising Tools Guide

Before You Change Your Logo, Fix This First

17 Nov 2025

17 Nov 2025 Newsletter

Build Your Startup/NPO Site on Framer (2025)

13 Oct 2025

Framer Guide

Brand Positioning Statement for NPOs in South Africa

07 Oct 2025

Brand Positioning Template

Free Brand Identity Template: Positioning, Messaging & Values

01 Oct 2025

Brand Identity Template

The Non-Profit's Prompting Playbook: A Guide to Writing Effective AI Prompts by Romanos Boraine

NPO Prompting Playbook: How to Write Effective AI Prompts

15 Jul 2025

AI Prompt Guide

How to Develop SMART Indicators for Your Social Impact Project

How to Develop SMART Indicators for Social Impact

30 Jun 2025

SMART Indicator Guide

Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) in South Africa: Driving Change from the Ground Up by Romanos Boraine

What Are Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) in South Africa?

18 Jun 2025

CSO Guide

Philanthropy in South Africa: Driving Impact and Sustainable Change - Romanos Boraine

Philanthropy in South Africa: Driving Impact & Change

17 Jun 2025

Philanthropy Guide

A vibrant Ligne Claire illustration of a South African community thriving due to Social Employment projects like urban gardening, education, and public art.

Guide to Social Employment in South Africa - Romanos Boraine

11 Jun 2025

Social Employment Guide

8 Free & Discounted Communication Tools for South African Nonprofits (2025) by Romanos Boraine

Free Communication Tools for NPOs (2025) - Romanos Boraine

17 May 2025

Communication Tools Guide