The Change in Action NPO Fair continues to grow as a flagship initiative—previously with We Are Durban, now through Nation Builder—supporting nonprofit sustainability in KwaZulu-Natal.
Delivered in partnership with the Hollywood Foundation and Gateway Theatre of Shopping, the campaign addresses a persistent challenge in the sector: the limited visibility and marketing capacity of many grassroots organisations. With thousands of NPOs operating across Durban alone, many doing vital work behind the scenes, the initiative creates a platform for connection, skills development, public engagement, and exposure to funding.
The campaign provided 20 selected organisations with training, mentorship, and the opportunity to showcase their work at a full-day public fair at Gateway, where visitors could meet the organisations, learn about their work, and explore ways to support their initiatives. Alongside this, a business networking brunch created space for corporate leaders and funders to engage directly with nonprofits around partnership and support. Nation Builder’s role focused on capacity building and mentorship—equipping organisations with tools that extend beyond the event itself and contribute to long-term sustainability. Beyond the visibility and exposure of the Fair itself, each participating organisation received one year’s complimentary Nation Builder membership, unlocking access to our full suite of professional tools, programmes, peer-learning platforms, and sector resources—while joining a national network of like-minded changemakers. In addition, the cohort was equipped with access to our Impact Management & Reporting (IMR) Masterclass, a comprehensive four-part training series designed to strengthen impact measurement, reporting practices, and strategic alignment. This ensured that the benefit extended far beyond a single event—building the internal capacity of each organisation to demonstrate evidence-based impact, strengthen accountability, and position themselves more confidently for future funding and partnerships.
