About Us: A Legacy of Impact.
For over 90 years, Community Chest has been a bridge between those who want to help and those who need it most.
We connect generous donors with carefully vetted NPO Impact Partners, ensuring every rand is used to restore dignity and create lasting change. Our purpose is simple: to be the connector between corporations, individuals, and NPOs, always driven by the passion to empower and enhance our community.
Our guiding principles
At Community Chest, our values guide everything we do. We are adaptable and versatile, developing unique donation plans that meet the needs of our donors while driving meaningful impact. We are knowledgeable and relevant, continually researching and understanding the evolving South African landscape to empower our community partners with the tools for sustainable growth. We act with confidence and conviction, ensuring transparency, due diligence, and accountability so that every contribution creates lasting change. Above all, we are caring and respectful, restoring dignity and hope to the individuals and communities we serve.
Empathy
We believe in the power of human connection to drive positive change.
Honour
We uphold the highest standards of integrity and transparency.
Competence
Our stringent assessment processes ensure your funds make a measurable impact.
Relevance
We continuously adapt to meet the ever-changing needs of our communities.
Our milestones of change
Decades of dedicated service have shaped our commitment to community development and social transformation.
1931
Established as Durban and District Community Chest, laying the foundation for community-driven support.
1996
Became official charity of Comrades Marathon, expanding our fundraising and community engagement.
1999
Installed rainwater catchment tanks, providing critical water access to 20 organisations.
2021
Repositioned brand to focus on education, sustainability, and entrepreneurship.
2025
Reached R1 million milestone raised through the Comrades Marathon race4charity campaign.
Meet the Team
Gordon McDonald is the Executive Director of Community Chest Durban, a role he has held since 1999. With over 30 years of experience in the non-profit sector, he is a seasoned resource developer and a recognized leader in good governance and board development. He holds a B.Com in Accounting and is a BoardSource International Fellow.
Zama Masondo is the Deputy Director at Community Chest Durban, with over 20 years of experience in Social Development. Holding a Master's in Social Science, she is a trusted expert in monitoring and evaluation (M&E), ensuring strong program delivery and accountability to our donors and partners.
Preya Gounden is a passionate Resource Developer at Community Chest Durban with over 21 years of experience in the non-profit sector. As a seasoned fundraiser and team manager, she brings deep expertise in donor engagement and good governance. She currently serves as the National Secretary of the Southern Africa Institute of Fundraising.
Fadeela Deedat is an integral part of the Community Chest team, with nearly three decades of experience in public relations and event management. She has a proven track record in managing high-profile fundraising events and strengthening the brand's visibility and reputation.
Tu Mthembu is a dynamic Resource Developer at Community Chest with over 20 years of experience in fundraising, marketing, and public relations. She has a proven track record in strategic planning, corporate social investment (CSI), and cultivating impactful partnerships to drive organizational growth.
Rashilla Francis is a committed and passionate, bequest fundraiser. For the past 21 years, she has been ensuring that NGO’s can strategically plan for their futures by securing bequests. She entrenches donor relationships with deep gratitude.