Social Change Assistance Trust

The Social Change Assistance Trust (SCAT) is a South African non-profit advocacy organisation established in 1984 to advocate for human rights and social justice philanthropy.

Social Change Assistance Trust
FoundedNovember 1984 (1984-11)[1]
FoundersBarry Streek
Gordon Young
Di Oliver
TypeNonprofit organization
PurposeCommunity rights, activism, and rural poverty alleviation
Location
Area served
Western Cape
Eastern Cape
Northern Cape
Free State
ExpensesR7.2 million[2] (2014) roughly equivalent to US$507,000
Websitewww.scat.org.za

SCAT focuses its projects in the rural areas of four South African provinces. The Western Cape, Eastern Cape, Northern Cape, and the Free State. It focuses on projects that are community centred and community driven with a primarily focuses on projects that tackle inequality and injustice.[3][4] SCAT's primary function is as a grant making organisation that also provides capacity building and conducts project assessments of supported projects in rural areas.

History

SCAT was established by Barry Streek, Gordon Young and Di Oliver in 1984 to help provide resources to poor rural communities that have been their right since the establishment of democracy in South Africa in 1994. Initial funding for the organisation came from the Church of Norway.[3] SACT played an important role in the establishment of the Cape Town based civil society center Community House in the mid-1980s.[5]

Activities
SCAT Assisted projects (1984-2014)[2]
ProvinceNumber of assisted projects
Western Cape109
Eastern Cape86
Northern Cape35
Free State3
Kwa-Zulu Natal6
North West Province1

As of 2006 the organisation worked with 58 rural partners. In 2005 the organisation experienced a short fall in funding due to declining commitments from established donors and inadequate fund raising capabilities. This required the organisation to change its method of operation. This led the organisation to start scaling down operations, reduce administration staff, and balance budgets to rely on committed income streams.[6] Between 1984 and 2014 SCAT reportedly supported 515 Local Development Agencies.[2]

References
  1. "SCAT website: Home Page". www.scat.org.za. Retrieved 2017-09-13.
  2. "SCAT Annual Review 2014" (PDF). www.scat.org.za. 2014. Retrieved 2017-09-13.
  3. Orford, Margie (2004). Rural Voice: The Social Change Assistance Trust, 1984-2004, Working in South Africa. Cape Town: David Philip, Publishers. pp. 7, 8. ISBN 0864866658.
  4. "The Raith Foundation: Current Grantees". www.raith.org.za. Retrieved 2017-09-13.
  5. Orford, Margie (2004). Rural Voice: The Social Change Assistance Trust, 1984-2004, Working in South Africa. David Philip. ISBN 9780864866653.
  6. Farouk, Fazila (2006-01-17). "Social Change Assistance Trust". NGO Pulse. Retrieved 2017-09-13.
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