The JDI Foundation is a charitable organisation in South Africa that helps local community projects needing support.
JDI is made up of volunteer groups, formed by like-minded people who want to help those who need it. They pool their funds and, more importantly, their time, resources and skills.
These JDI groups work to contribute in a meaningful way to uplift the local community organisations around them, often supporting projects that cannot access formal funding. Instead of just handing over cash donations, JDI members are encouraged to volunteer in person, and be part of the positive change we need to see in the world.
The Cableway Charity Challenge
The Cableway Charity Challenge is a fundraising event which has been running annually for the past 14 years. This unique trail run involves participants doing a circular route climbing up Platteklip Gorge, running across Table Mountain and taking the cableway down as many times as possible between sunrise and sunset during the event. Each lap is 5.5km in distance, 760 metres of climbing, and will take approximately 2 hours to complete.
The event is run by JDI Foundation volunteers and is sponsored by Table Mountain Aerial Cableway Company. Participants (runners, walkers, joggers, anyone!) raise funds through sponsorships and wherever possible expenses for the event are sponsored or minimised, with our aim being to distribute as close to 100% of all money raised to our beneficiaries.
The 9-day event begins on Saturday 6 May 2023 with the Corporate and Schools Team Challenges and runs throughout the week, ending at sunset on Sunday 14 May 2023.
To sign up as an participant, register a corporate or school team or to sponsor someone taking part in the event, please visit www.charitychallenge.co.za
JDI MEMBER BENEFITS
Being part of a simple but effective structure with no red tape, and one goal only – to make positive change in the local communities
Access to advice from JDI’s Board of Trustees who have financial and legal experience to advise with setting up NGO’s and other queries
Ability to request top-up funds from other JDI groups to meet a certain target – everyone helps everyone within JDI
Suggestions for a wide range of projects needing help – JDI acts like a catalyst to connect those who can help, to those who need help
Peace of mind that the JDI Foundation is run ethically and professionally as a transparent Trust, with no volunteer salaries, and undergoing regular audits
ABOUT JDI
Being part of a simple but effective structure with no red tape, and one goal only – to make positive change in the local communities
The JDI Foundation Trust was set up in 1998 by young graduates from UCT looking for a structure outside of the university through which to continue making a difference in underprivileged areas of South Africa, with the ethos of ‘Just Doing It’. The aim of the trust was to encourage groups of people already meeting up on a social or professional level to choose projects to which they could offer skills, funding and general support. JDI offers the full structure of a registered PBO & NPO with little to no red tape to these groups.
Many of our groups became so involved in their chosen projects, that they have branched off of the JDI structure and have themselves become registered NPOs.
At present there are over twenty JDI groups who regularly contribute their time and funding to a variety of causes. Each group operates independently, chooses their own projects and donates their time, skills and funds in whatever way they decide best. JDI is not prescriptive towards any of these decisions, is entirely volunteer run, and receives no compensation from groups whose funding they manage.
The unique JDI structure allows any minimal expenses incurred by the running of the foundation. Bank charges, web hosting and event marketing are covered by interest earned on unused funds. Groups do not pay towards these and keep 100% of their donated funds for their projects.
SOME OF THE PROJECTS WE HAVE HELPED IN THE LAST 20 YEARS
JDI TRUSTEES
JDI TRUSTEES
Trustees volunteer their services and receive no compensation from the Trust.
Barry O’Mahony
Barry is a Certified Financial Planner Professional, one of the founders of the JDI Foundation as well as being the founder of Veritas Wealth Management Pty, and a trustee of the CoolPlay Trust.
Caminey Kuropatwa
Caminey has a LLB Hons, BA Hons, over 14 years experience in the philanthropy sector, including 13 years as a trustee, and works with the central administration of JDI.
Gary Mulder
Gary, B.BusSci, CA, is the Financial Director for Club Travel. He was previously involved with the Leos Club (Junior Lions) and has been part of JDI for almost 20 years.
Helena Duk
Helena has been involved with the non-profit sector for over 20 years, is passionate about education and has served the JDI as well as SAEP trusts in various capacities.
Hermann Wessels
Hermann is one of the founders of JDI. He is an attorney with more than 20 years’ post qualification experience and a director of ENSafrica.
Tracy Le Roux
Tracy has been involved in the JDI Foundation for 19 years, and a trustee for 10 of those years. Tracy holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree and is responsible for the financial accounting of the Foundation.