So You Are Not a Registered Charity… That’s OK, We Welcome Informal Groups Too!
The Helpers is open to informal groups, grassroots and community-led projects because doing good isn’t limited to paperwork.
South Africa (20 January 2026) – For a long time, the idea of “help” in South Africa has been closely tied to forms, certificates and registration numbers. NPOs, NGOs, NPCs and PBOs matter deeply, and the work they do is vital. But they are not the only ones showing up.
Across the country, there are people doing good without titles, funding decks or formal structures. They are feeding neighbours from their own kitchens. Running weekend soup kitchens. Helping elders in their street. Collecting blankets when winter hits. Supporting families after fires, floods or sudden loss. Caring for animals. Holding space where the system falls short.
These are the helpers, too.
At The Helpers, we want to be very clear: you do not need to be formally registered to be listed on this platform.
If you are an informal group, a grassroots initiative, a community project or a small team of humans trying to make life a little better where you are, you are welcome here.
The Helpers was built to connect people who need help with those who can offer it. And in South Africa, some of the most effective help comes from small, local, deeply rooted efforts. Often started by one person who saw a need and decided to do something about it.
We know that formal registration takes time, money and capacity. We also know that many impactful projects never get there, not because they lack legitimacy, but because they are focused on the work itself. On feeding, caring, fixing, supporting and showing up.
That doesn’t make your work any less real.
By welcoming informal and grassroots projects, The Helpers reflects the true landscape of care in South Africa. A country where help is often neighbour-led, community-driven and powered by people who refuse to look away.
Of course, transparency matters. Clear contact details matter. Honesty matters. Your profile should explain who you are, what you do and how people can reach you. That builds trust. But a registration number is not the measure of your impact.
Our stance is simple: every South African group working to make this country better deserves to be seen.
Whether you’re a registered organisation or a small, informal project just starting out, The Helpers exists to give your work a place to live, be discovered and supported.
If you’re doing good, quietly or loudly, formally or informally, there is space for you here.
If you are unsure, please feel free to reach out at admin@thehelpers.co.za, or register below.
How to Register
Start by registering online, and once you have a user profile, you can register the charity profile.
Step 1: https://thehelpers.co.za/login-and-register/
Step 2: https://thehelpers.co.za/panel/create/
Take your time with registering. We shared a blog post on some of the ways to make the most of your profile which you can read here: https://thehelpers.co.za/how-to-create-your-best-charity-profile/
The Helpers is a growing space built on connection, care and the belief that help should never be hard to find. It exists to link people who need support with organisations doing the work, and to guide those who want to help towards causes that matter most to them.
This platform is proudly powered by Good Things Guy, a community that has spent the last decade sharing stories of hope, resilience, and the everyday heroes quietly making South Africa a better place.
The Helpers is sponsored by Druff Interactive, whose support and belief helped turn a much-needed idea into a platform designed to genuinely make a difference.
If you have questions, suggestions, organisations to recommend or simply want to get in touch, you’re always welcome to reach the team at admin@thehelpers.co.za.
To learn more about why The Helpers exists and how it came to life, listen to the special launch episode of the Good Things Guy Podcast, here, where the story behind the platform is shared in full.
