KRONENDAL MUSIC ACADEMY
After 17 years, Kronendal Music Academy (KMA) needed an updated Constitution and ngoLAW was referred to us. Within days they were on it! An initial zoom meeting and subsequent reviews meant that we received a practical, meaningful and up-to-date document that is going to serve us well. Thank you ngoLAW for your professional, friendly and efficient service. It was such a relief to know we have everything covered. Dwyn Griesel – CEO and Founder
YOUTH MENTORS AND DEVELOPERS
When our funders introduced us to ngoLAW at one of the grantee convening workshops, we learned so much on the different types of non-profit entities and legality associated with the registration. Therefore, when we left the workshop, we knew that we needed to contact them soon on various issues we did not understand, as youth-led NPO. To date. ngoLAW has helped us so much on compliance, having a correct and legally accredited constitution for our organisation. There is so much I can thank the ngoLAW team for, but lastly, thank you so much for this PBO and Section 18 registration which will change our lives and all the communities we work in as we can now try to get funding for salaries and wages. Lindani Samkelo Makhaye – Governing Board member
ALL PROTOCOL OBSERVED
We worked with ngoLAW to create a new home for The Continent, a weekly African newspaper based in South Africa. They suggested the best, non-profit structure to support this journalism work. They also took us through a meticulous process to help create the guiding documents for that new home — All Protocol Observed NPC. These are the documents that will guide the organisation for decades to come. All this was done with consideration to the tiny budgets that journalism projects have to work with. And we now have a home. Sipho Kings – Publisher – All Protocol Observed and The Continent
PENNY APPEAL SOUTH AFRICA
I highly recommend ngoLAW for anyone seeking top-notch legal services and advice. Clear communication, strategic guidance, and attention to detail were evident throughout the process, resulting in our entity having a smooth transition. Shahnaaz Paruk – CEO: Penny Appeal South Africa
HANDS THAT CARE
Exceptional service! From start to finish, ngoLAW demonstrated professionalism, expertise, and a genuine commitment to assisting our legal matter efficiently. A pleasure to work with.”! Shahnaaz Paruk – Board of Directors
Little Zebra Books
Little Zebra Books has been very pleased with the service we have received from ngoLAW. When we needed help on our Section 18A, they communicated, set realistic deadlines, and met them. And our application was successful! Thank you, ngoLAW. Tamlin Jethro
Northland School
ngoLAW provide a personal, professional and efficient service that has MORE than met our requirements. We highly recommend this company for all your legal requirements. A big thank you to ngoLAW! Anne-Mary Myhill – Principal
uMgeni Tourism Board
I would like to thank Nicole for writing the three practical guides to NGO’s. It has been extremely helpful and I will definitely be reading her advice with a new set of eyes. The practicality and simplicity of the books are a perfect fit for someone like me who does not enjoy reading. I have already suggested the books to a few new and aspiring organisations. Once again thank you and excellent work. JP Prinsloo (uMngeni Tourism Board Chairperson)
KidsCan!
KidsCan! is still a small organisation but if it is planned for us, we will grow. Our dream is to become the best After Care and Learning Centre in our area, helping children from a vulnerable background. Without ngoLAW’s guidance and straight answers to the many questions we had, we would have struggled receiving the PBO and 18A status. We are also grateful for their assistance with the B-BBEE affidavit. Hannatjie Doorduin
ONE PLANET SA NPC
It has been an absolute pleasure having the support from ngoLAW to set up our NPC, although I have worked for many years in the sector, I was very hesitant about starting something up on my own. ngoLAW took the edge off and made it feel achievable. They took care of all the daunting bureaucratic steps keeping me updated all the way. I was thrilled to have their legal expertise too, in helping to ensure our MOI was professional and appropriate for our needs. I also appreciated their consistency in communication and follow-up and, never for one moment doubted, they wouldn’t get all our requirements through the systems which they did with great speed and accuracy too! I highly recommend this wonderful team of the most competent, patient and attentive women! Bridget Ringdahl (Director)
LIV CENTRAL
Working with the ngoLAW team has been an extremely pleasant process for us at LIV Central. The level of excellence, professionalism and support they have provided, has been outstanding. We highly recommend their services which comes with great wisdom and the ability to understand our organisation’s needs, which ultimately saved us so much time and frustration. Lizemari Moller (Brand Manager)
Parkinsons Disease South Africa
I was referred to Nicole Copley by another NGO that I am a patron of. Nicole quickly assessed what I required and minutes later I received a very clear proposal outlining my various options. Through every step of the process, I felt very comfortable that I was in capable hands. There were applications to several government agencies but the entire process was executed seamlessly. I believe this is an all-women team – a true testament to ngoLAW’s efficiency and professionalism. Rakesh Harribhai | Director
SA Foundation For The Advancement Of Artificial Intelligence NPC
We are very grateful for all of the assistance from the team at ngoLAW with our tax exemption application. We wouldn’t have been able to do it without their help, knowledge and guidance. From the onset we received guidance on how the process will work and what documents were needed. A few gentle but needed reminders from Lisa also kept us on track with the submission of all the required documentation. We would highly recommend them. Tharien Potgieter | (Public Officer)
I can Innovate NPC
We have had an incredible experience working with ngoLAW since our inception in 2018. The team is professional, efficient and always able to assist with our non-profit needs. The guidance and support we’ve received has allowed our team to reach thousands of students around the country. We would recommend ngoLAW to any non-profit company getting started or maintaining their organisation. Thank you for your on-going support. Trisha Crookes | CEO
Juju Surf NPC
The ngoLAW team has been incredible in helping us set up our non-profit organisation, registering it and obtaining our 18a tax status in South Africa. Our experience has wonderful because every person on the team was very professional, kind and went above and beyond to help us along the way. Thank you ngoLAW for sharing your expertise, experience and lovely customer service with us. We would highly recommend using ngoLAW. Ozeltia February | Co-founder, Juju Surf
Lulamaphiko NPC
I naturally turned to ngoLAW for guidance and support when I started Lulamaphiko in the middle of 2021, having relied on Nicole’s legal knowledge and experience from 2008 when I was director of the Family Literacy Project. Nicole and her team expertly steered us through the legal requirements and registration processes for a new NGO, freeing us up to find our feet and focus on our work. Our NPC, NPO and PBO registrations were completed within five months, with no glitches or delays. Kudos to this efficient team! Lynn Stefano
Khula Natural Health
ngoLAW assisted us right from the beginning with excellent and professional advice on starting our NPO, guiding us through all the legalities and always answering all our questions. The advice we received, and are still receiving, is always up to date, quick and professional. ngoLAW is a most valued partner for all our Non-Profit Organisation’s questions and requirements, they are most efficient, up to date, competent, professional, affordable and with that special personal touch which makes them stand out above the rest. Nicoliene Potgieter Steiner
Sdi Global Support Organization NPC
Nicole and her team have been so helpful in supporting us to ensure we have everything in order to operationalise our newly registered nonprofit company (NPC). Her expertise in South African ngoLAW and her responsive and highly competent team have really helped us to ensure we have everything in order to get us up and running smoothly and in compliance with SA legislation. Ariana Karamallis
ISSY GESHEN
CENFRI
Nicole from ngoLAW assisted us with advice on our membership restructure as well as on governance design for a subsidiary organisation in Rwanda. Nicole is on top of her game as far as the legal context of non-profit organisations are concerned and she is willing to listen and translate between the business context and the legal environment. This is a rare inclination and skill for a legal advisor and one that allowed us to get to good outcomes for the organisation and not just legally correct actions. I enjoyed our interactions. She is our go-to resource on matters relating to our non-profit structure and governance and I have recommended her to others in a similar space. Doubell Chamberlain
HandsandFeet
HandsandFeet NPC has so valued the input, guidance and wisdom ngoLAW has provided to us over the years. From the transition from a Voluntary Association to a Not for Profit Company, to assisting us to stay on top of our compliance requirements and more. ngoLAW is incredibly efficient, friendly and helpful. They are trusted experts in the field and came highly recommended to us from multiple sources. It’s a pleasure working together. Tessa Gardener, CEO
Federation For A Sustainable Environment
The FSE has no hesitation in testifying to ngoLAW for its professionalism, ability, diligence and expert knowledge of the relevant legislation governing Non-Profit Organisations (NPO), and in highly recommending it to any NPO or civil society organisation. ngoLAW has always shown a keen interest in the progress and welfare of our organisation and has always been willing to assist us in shouldering our responsibilities to ensure that our organisation comply with all the legislative requirements. Mariette Liefferink, CEO
Edulution
Edulution was fortunate to be introduced to ngoLAW just when their services were most needed! How grateful we are for the guidance and support from ngoLAW. Without the help of ngoLAW to navigate registering a non-profit as a Section 18A organisation and applying for PBO status and tax exemption, we would still be waiting. Their knowledge of the process, their relationships with key individuals within the department and their patience and professionalism at all times proved to be invaluable to Edulution. Sandy Mattison | Strategic Projects
TFT in Practice NPC
“Working with ngoLAW was such a pleasurable experience. Your efficiency, prompt response and experience in dealing with matters as the application process in getting TFT in Practice NPC the PBO status in drawing our MOI helped us to reach at the stage where we are at. Throughout the process I also appreciated the fact that my input was valued even though not my field. The team is very helpful and you get to deal with each one of them at every level of their expertise. So thank you so much and I surely will recommend your services.” Eunice Nldovu, TFT in Practice NPC, Accountant
Greener Future Foundation
It has been such a great experience working with Nicole and Lisa in getting Greener Futures Foundation’s paperwork sorted out in record time. ngoLAW’s experience and highly capable consultants made this process a seamless and efficient one. Their attention to detail and the way they helped us understand the intricacies of resetting our NPC allowed me to hand over the entire matter to them with confidence, knowing it will get done right. Timeframes for delivery were given and, in every case, they met these deliverables way within what was promised. The final process could have been 21 days, but it ended up only taking one day – now that is great service!!! I have no hesitation in recommending Nicole and her team to anyone needing these services. Thanks Nicole and Lisa for your outstanding service.
Steam Foundation
ngoLAW are the absolute go-to legal practice that specialises in all aspects of ngoLAW in the country. They are deep subject experts in the various forms of non-profit – from Voluntary Association to Non-Profit Company to Charitable Trust. They have also published books on the matter which are well worth getting for every organisation. Their book, NGO Matters: A practical legal guide to starting up was my go-to bible as it neatly summarises everything you need to know about founding a non-profit entity. Over and above writing MOIs, Constitutions, or Deeds of Trust, and ensuring the contents comply with what is required for both NPO and PBO registration, they are able to ensure you meet your yearly compliance requirements and provide independent, third party verification to your funders that you are currently up-to-date – thereby providing management, Boards, and funders with peace of mind. For all things NPO, PBO, and associated issues, they are unparalleled in the country. They are an unbelievable clock-work machine, and I cannot praise their services or expertise too highly. Kathryn Kure
Advance access & delivery
I am very happy with the service at I received at ngoLAW. The team is always polite and professional and very knowledgeable. The systems Nicole has built to make sure there was consistent and clear communication across team members must be commended. I would highly recommend ngoLaw. Michael Wilson
Call 2 Care
“Working with ngoLAW was the best decision our organisation made and helped us fast track updating our MOI and getting approved for Section 18A. The team at ngoLAW were insightful, professional and methodological which ensured the best possible outcome. Our organisation can not recommend ngoLAW enough.” Steven dos Ramos – Call 2 Care director
Sizanani Benthem Trust
“I have dealt with ngoLAW since 29 June 2018 for an application for tax exemption and 18A. It has been a pleasant journey with assistance from Nicole Copley who from the very onset had clear understanding of my organisation, although it was a novel idea. She did not just provide the promised service, but she lifted my application to another level by improving its visual presentation. She made sure that the application was a success by offering new advice that had not been available previously. Dorothy O’Neill moved everything to the next gear by giving regular updates on my application. I will definitely continue utilising the services of ngoLAW and continue in relying on their specialised knowledge in this field of work”. Dr C.D mashiloane, Obstetrician & Gynaecologist, Founder of Sizanani Benthem Trust
Baykhanya
“Nicole and the ngoLAW Team’s reputation is well-deserved! As a legal colleague, I have particularly valued their specialisation and insight into the nonprofit sector -and how they have translated our vision of empowering parentless children to star. Highly recommended!” Debbie Wybrow, founder of The Bayakhanya Foundation NPC
Wildlife Act
“Nicole and her team have been a crucial support system for our growing NGO, from providing well considered legal and governance advice on complex issues to efficient administrative services. Nicole is both professional and personable with a genuine desire to help our organisation achieve its goals.” Johan Maree – Co-Founder and Chairperson
CRSP Design
CRSP Design: Nicole and the team at ngoLAW have been incredibly supportive of our journey towards the creation of our Non Profit Company. From the very first engagement we had, we were presented with all the relevant information to decide what would work best for us. Upon deciding, the ngoLAW team was swift in their preparation of the relevant information and documentation and have been exceptionally responsive to any questions and concerns that we have had.
Just Share
ngoLAW is super-efficient, professional and friendly, and most importantly of all, they know exactly what they’re doing! They really do make stressful, complicated processes easy to manage. We thoroughly recommend them.
Beauty for Ashes
Blood Lions
Blood Lions: “Working with Nicole Copley and her team at ngoLAW has been an absolute pleasure! The assistance, advice and feedback provided was of an exceptionally high standard – extremely professional, punctual and explicable – and I would not hesitate to endorse the company.” Pippa Hankinson, Director Blood Lions
Breadline Africa
Breadline Africa – “Nicole and her team at ngoLAW have been tremendous in assisting Breadline Africa with legal and governance advice in the NPO sector. They offer tailored business solutions to the satisfaction of all stakeholders. Their level of professionalism and on-time service delivery has benefited our organisation. What a pleasure working with such a team.”
Future Farmers
Future Farmers –“We have had some difficulty with becoming registered as a PBO. It was a huge relief to meet Nicole who is able to assist us in a meaningful way. We are hoping to have the PBO registration before the end of the year and after several years of going about things in the wrong way, this seems really close!”
Syafunda
Our 2nd Home
Drakensberg Boys School Choir
ngoLAW has efficiently and cost-effectively advised and assisted the Drakensberg Boys Choir School Educational Trust to review its legal governance structure, register the Drakensberg Boys Choir Foundation and update our Trust Deed. Her office has consistently travelled the extra mile in ensuring all the I’s are dotted and T’s crossed in the many CIPC and Masters Office annual updates needed. I have really appreciated your service, Nicole. Thank you so much for your always cheerful approach to our very tedious requests.
IZIKO Museums
South African Association for Marine Biological Research
Brownies & Downies
There was a time during our first year of operation when the pressures of governmental departments, city by-laws and regulatory agencies began their steady crushing pressure on us as a fledgling organisation. Because what we do is a unique and a new step for NPO’s in SA, our two founding members struggled to find professionals who could relate to what they were envisioning and trying to build, and a government department who knew how to categorise and register us. They were referred to Nicole Copley and ngoLAW through their business consultant. She (and her team) are incredibly knowledgeable on ngoLAW and regulations in South Africa, and it was evident when they consulted and worked with our founders to create our social enterprise that the vast practical experience and networking that they have acquired over many years of trade, while still retaining a gentle and nurturing attitude towards their NPO clients, should give them a market-leading edge in the industry. It was evident at the very early stages of our dealings together that the knowledge that could be gleaned from one another would be most beneficial. We look forward to a continued fruitful relationship with ngoLAW as we grow, expand and flourish in the years to come. Thank you for all your help thus far Nicole! Wade Schultz and Wendy Vermeulen
Fix Forward
We used ngoLAW to assist with a number of things, including drafting agreements between our non-profit trust and company, drafting the MOI for the company and submitting reports and name change requests to the NPO Directorate. We found them highly knowledgeable, particularly in the field of social enterprise which blends the non-profit and for-profit worlds. They were very responsive to any requests we made and all around a pleasure to deal with. We have already recommended them to a number of other social enterprises. Joshua Cox
Wildlife SOS
The Wildlifesos Trust could not have come about without the attention to detail, efficiency and helpfulness of Nicole. She has been with us through every step of the way and continues to be available for any help we need. Her team had a tough task setting up this trust and from its inception right through to getting our tax exemption and NPO registration has been a very smooth process. We hope to have a long working relationship with her and her team in the future. Frith Douglas
Woza Moya Community Development Project
TREE (Training and Resources in Early Education)
South African Depression And Anxiety Group
We have been very lucky to work with NGO Lawyer Nicole Copley over the last seven years. Her skills and diverse knowledge has helped us out of difficult situations many times. She always speedily answers our questions and will look into things that are not Her direct knowledge. We wouldn’t consider any other expert in the NGO field. Zane Wilson (Founder & Director)
Ndlovu Care Group
Thanks Nicole, the professionalism, support and attention to detail we experience from working with ngoLAW provides all the reassurance we need to know that we make intelligent choices. Hugo Tempelman – CEO
Abalobi
Nicole and her team at ngoLAW are our trusted legal partners, since our first registration. They are always available for expert advice, and have helped us tremendously in building our non-profit governance and accountability structures. These are critical to us as we aim to build transparency in the fisheries sector and work with governments, fishers and various market chain stakeholders. Serge Raemaekers