About Us

We are agents of change and hope for those who need support

For more than 90 years, Community Chest has provided support through donations, sponsorship, and charity events, to non-profit organisations which we call NPO Impact Partners. The strict parameters and stringent assessment of our Impact Partners give you, our corporate and individual donors the assurance that funding will be used where it makes the greatest impact.

Community Chest Durban strives to understand the requirements and passion of our donors. Unique funding proposals are compiled to fulfill CSI regulatory and sector focused needs, whilst supporting and empowering our impact partners to understand their ever-changing environment. Section 18A tax deduction and B-BBEE certificates are issued on request.

Everything we do at Community Chest Durban reinforces our overarching purpose of restoring dignity and hope in the lives of those who need our support. We are the connector between the corporate and individual, and the NPO Impact Partner - always driven by the passion to empower and enhance members of our community in their care.

Milestones

1931
  • Established on 23 June 1931 and called the Durban and District Community Chest. The first year budget was 15 000 pounds and 12 beneficiaries were supported.
1937
  • Offices were opened at 8 Scotswood Buildings, 52 Field Street.
1969
  • The Mayor of Durban hosted a Symphony concert, presented by the Durban Symphony Orchestra in honour of the Community Chest.
1976
  • Community Chest, together with Game Discount World, launched the ‘Happy Families game’. Entrants donated R 2.00 and collected a set of stickers in order to win the latest Defy Smooth Top stove.
1989
  • Community Chest hosts a car competition with the first prize being a sponsored BMW.
1990
  • A fundraising breakfast and fashion show was held on an aircraft! The flight left Louis Botha airport  for Sodwana Bay, then flew to the South Coast. It was a 90 minute flight, with a glamourous fashion show and full breakfast.
1991
  • Durban and District Community Chest launched the ‘Scratch Card Lottery’ and cards were sold at shopping centres throughout Durban.
  • At this stage, the logo was only a red feather.
  • The Dan Perkins Toyota ‘Stick a Pic’ car competition was hosted.
1992
  • Offices were moved to 50 Prince Alfred Street.
1994
  • Together with the then popular Queens Tavern in Stamford Hill Road, Community Chest prepared a record breaking biggest bunny chow ever!
1995
  • We hosted the ‘East Coast Radio Moonlight Chicken run’ in association with Nando’s and Southern Sun. Staff from supporting companies dressed up, danced on stage and promoted their business in a fun way. The teams then took to the streets for a 5km Fun Run.
1996
  • Community Chest was elected as an official charity of the Comrades Marathon Association, and still are, recruiting runners to raise funds as part of the Race4Charity campaign.
1998
  • ‘Ubuntu’ was added to the organisation name. Ubuntu means a quality that includes the essential human virtues of compassion and humanity which Community Chest will always espouse.
  • Prize sponsorship of the newly launched Mazda SOHO was received and raffle ticket sales were undertaken in major shopping centres in the greater Durban area and on the South Coast.
1999
  • Rainwater catchment tanks were installed at 20 different organisations in and around Durban with the capacity to collect 5000 litres each giving these NPOs access to free water.
2003
  • The Midmar Mile campaign kick started and every year until 2019, GAME donated R1 000 for every GAME or Community Chest member who participated. A total of R2.3 million was raised over this period.
2015
  • A Treasure Chest antique valuation event was held. People were invited to have their antique collectables and family heirlooms valued by a panel of experts.
2017
  • Ladies and ‘buoys’ set sail for a two hour fundraising trip around Durban harbour while enjoying scrumptious treats.
2018
  • Movie Night under the starry sky saw the Durban community sitting on blankets and watching ‘Cool Runnings’ with their choice of snacks.
2020
  • Our 22nd annual Day of Caring was held. This event sees teams of volunteers painting, gardening and repairing facilities on site at Impact Partners.
2021
  • Community Chest Durban underwent a brand repositioning process. This was based on the intensified need to focus on education, sustainability, entrepreneurship and donor accessibility, with the overarching goal remaining to  empower and enhance the lives of those in our care.