At Upside Community Services NPC, people often ask how we manage to do so much with so little.
The simple answer is this:
we are a very lean organisation.
And we want to start being more open about what that actually looks like.
A People-Centred Organisation Invests in People
If you look at our finances, you will see that most of our spending goes toward people. That is not an accident — it reflects the nature of our work.
We also want to pause and say a sincere thank you to every individual, family, organisation, and partner who has supported us — whether through financial giving, volunteering, professional input, encouragement, or prayer. Everything we do is possible because people choose to stand with us. Your generosity, trust, and belief in this work have allowed hundreds of individuals to receive care, support, and opportunity that would otherwise not have been accessible. We do not take that lightly, and we are deeply grateful that you continue to walk this journey with us.
Our programmes are not buildings.
They are not equipment.
They are not large infrastructure projects.
Our work happens in conversations, support sessions, training spaces, and community relationships. Our work happens with people and through people.
So yes — the largest part of our budget is staff costs. Because people are how care, support, and change are delivered.
But here is something many don’t realise:
We only have two paid employees. And that 62% is equal to only R18 911 per month.
Everyone else — including me, the Executive Director — serves in a volunteer capacity. That means the reach and impact of our work is carried by a small paid team supported by committed volunteers who give their time and energy because they believe in what we do.
This is how we remain lean.
This is how we stretch every rand.
This is how we serve hundreds of people each year.
Why We Are Sharing This Now
Transparency matters.
If people are going to support our work, they deserve to understand how resources are used and what it actually costs to deliver services in the community.
So going forward, we are committing to greater financial openness.
In this regular newsletter, we will begin sharing:
- What our expenses look like
- Where our income comes from
- What our current financial needs are
- What our funding goals are
This will allow you — our supporters, partners, and community — to make informed decisions about how and whether you want to be involved.
We believe accountability builds trust.
And trust strengthens impact.
Where We Are Right Now
We operate on a tightly managed budget that keeps essential services running — but with very little margin.
Our current expenses reflect a lean structure that prioritises:
- service delivery
- responsible governance
- basic operational sustainability
What they do not reflect is growth, expansion, or long-term staff development.
And that brings us to an important reality.
Our Next Step: Sustainable Growth
Since Upside began, our full-time staff have not received salary increases — despite rising costs of living and growing service demand.
They continue to serve faithfully, professionally, and sacrificially. But sustainability matters — not just for organisations, but for the people who carry them.
Our short-term funding goal is therefore twofold:
- Strengthen and fairly support our existing full-time staff
- Allow measured expansion of our services to meet growing community needs
This is not about becoming large or complex.
It is about becoming sustainable and responsive.
Why Your Support Matters
Every year, hundreds of individuals and families receive care, guidance, and support through our work.
That only happens because people choose to stand with us.
By sharing our financial reality more openly, we are inviting you into the journey — not just as observers, but as partners.
In the months ahead, we will clearly communicate:
- what we need
- why we need it
- what impact it will create
So that you can choose how you want to help.
Thank You for Walking This Journey With Us
We believe responsible stewardship and honest communication honour both our mission and our supporters.
Thank you for caring about transparency.
Thank you for caring about people.
And thank you for helping make this work possible.
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