Getting funding from National Government Departments can be a valuable and often overlooked source of support for NPOs—especially if you’re addressing education, youth, health, food security, safety, or social development.

All of these Departments offer different opportunities, including subsidies, program funding, capacity-building grants and others.

Here’s a practical guide to help you navigate that space in South Africa:

Department of Social Development (DSD)
Most active in funding NPOs, especially in early childhood development (ECD), child protection, food relief, gender-based violence, youth, and disability support.

Department of Basic Education (DBE)
Funds NPOs involved in: After-school programs, Literacy and numeracy support, School feeding schemes (in partnership) and ECD practitioner training.

Department of Health (DoH)
For organisations involved in Health awareness campaigns, HIV/AIDS education and support and Mental health outreach

Department of Justice & Constitutional Development / SAPS
Funds GBV support services, victim empowerment programmes (VEP) and community safety initiatives.

Department of Employment and Labour / NYDA
This Department funds Youth development, skills training and job readiness programs. The NYDA (National Youth Development Agency) offers grants for youth-led NPOs or youth-focused initiatives.

Other Departments you can research include Arts & Culture, Rural Development, Women, Youth & Persons with Disabilities, Human Settlements, and Environmental Affairs. All of the above have potential if your work overlaps with their mandate.

Our top tips for getting funding from National Government Departments: get compliant, research your opportunities, apply during funding cycles, build good relationships and report back on how you are helping their priorities.

Need a hand in finding and matching your programmes with calls for proposals or funding adverts? Give us a call and our NPO specialist team will walk through the paperwork and untangle the red tape for you.