RIvERSIdE CId LauNChES SoCIaL INvESTMENT FouNdaTIoN
THe CID IS A fOrCe fOr gOOD AnD SO, AT THe HeArT Of THe fOunDATIOn IS TO fACILITATe CATALySIng AnD SuSTAInAbLe COMMunITy WeLfAre AnD DeveLOpMenT InITIATIveS
Riverside City Improvement District (CID) has launched its social investment foundation in an effort to extend CID-like solutions to marginalised communities. There was much excitement at the event held at the University of Mpumalanga’s Tfokomala Hotel & Conference Centre on Tuesday July 26.
City improvement districts are inherently collaborative by nature and lend themselves to partnership development. Riverside CID has sought to leverage this strength to establish a social investment foundation entity to mobilise Riverside’s collective generosity to make a difference in and around Riverside and beyond.
The CID is a force for good and so, at the heart of the foundation is to facilitate catalysing and sustainable community welfare and development initiatives. “We are proud to have launched a foundation that focuses on helping those who are most vulnerable and hope to make a valuable contribution to society,” said
Sabine Walker, Chairperson of the Riverside CID Social Investment Foundation.
Investment of any kind goes far beyond once-off monetary contributions. Our experience has taught us that many companies are progressively aligning their social investment strategies with their business strategies, creating synergies that can bring indirect benefits to the business such as improved reputation or access to new markets.
Through mobilising social awareness, conscience and capital, the foundation will channel action and contributions into projects that are developmental in nature and that foster partnerships as well as projects that are reputation and brand enhancing for Riverside CID and its members. “Our aim through the foundation is to ensure that the projects are measurable and managed,” said Gary Phillips, Social Investment Foundation Programme Manager.
Having started his career in industrial and economic research in South Africa and the region beyond, with an emphasis on development and building the economy, Phillips has assisted many non-profit organisations, rural and urbanbased communities, churches and local businesses before joining the team. Since his appointment as programme manager, he has spearheaded many of the projects undertaken by the foundation and has prepared the groundwork for its growth.
Shivon Wiggins, the Riverside Park CID Manager, spoke fondly at the launch. “This is only the beginning and there are only good things that lie ahead for the foundation.”
While it is in its primary stage, the foundation is Section 18A compliant, operational and is currently executing many projects with NPOs that are already making a difference in communities. For more information on the foundation or to discuss its work, contact Phillips at gary.phillips@spandp.co.za.