Frequently Asked Questions
a) What is the National Heritage Council and what is its mandate?
NHC is a statutory body registered as a Section 3a entity constituted under the National Heritage Council Act 11 of 1999. It has, as one of its mandate, a responsibility of disbursing funds for approved heritage projects. In allocating the funds, the NHC aspires to expand the base of participation of heritage organisationsand practitioners in the country.
b) When do you make your public call?
Annually and this is tied to the beginning of our financial year which is April.
c) How is the funding allocated i.e. multi year/one financial year
NHC gives funding for only one financial year. We do not give multi-year funding as we receive our transfers from our Principal Department – Department of Arts & Culture annually.
d) What do you fund?
Categories include, among others, Heritage related research, documentary, publications, exhibitions and oral history (orature)(intangible heritage) heritage development skills programmes.
e) Who is eligible to apply?
Any applicant whose project is heritage focused and does not fall within the excluded entities qualify. Individuals who apply as partners with registered entities, NGOs, NPCs. Section 21 companies not for gain. Excluded entities cover the following: Closed Corporations (cc), (Pty) Ltd, and any profit making organisation. (as prescribed by the Companies Act)
f) What are the requirements for submitting an application?
➢ Usage of the NHC application
➢ Constitution
➢ Current tax registration certificate (with SARS verification pin)
➢ Current audited financial statements for organisations that are registered for more than one year,
➢ Latest financial statements for organisation registered less than one year,
➢ Company/organisation’s registration certificate,
➢ A business plan to provide the organisation’s profile;
➢ A project proposal with an itemised budget;
➢ In terms of parternships – a Memorandum of Understanding,
➢ Endorsement letters where necessary particularly on research work done on third parties;
➢ Report on the organisation’s current status on its registration from a registering body ie CIPC and Social Development Department etc.
g) How do applicants know if they have been approved or not?
Once adjudication is completed by the Heritage Funding Committee, which convenes after the closing date, letters are send to successful applicants in the main. Due to volumes of applications we receive on an annual basis, the NHC places a clause at the bottom of each advert notifying that if they do not hear from the NHC after 90 days after the closing date they should consider their applications unsuccessful.
h) What is excluded in the NHC funding?
➢ Payment of salaries but we cover professional fees on the project,
➢ Erection of structures and maintenance thereof,
➢ Operational costs ie. Furniture, office machines, teas and cleaning material, office telephones
➢ Organisations that apply for more than one (1) project during any financial year will be excluded upfront;
➢ Organisations that are still implementing with their current funded project still active are excluded from applying.
i) What is the NHC’s Funding Ceiling?
Current ceiling amount is R500 000.00 and this is determined by the project’s impact i.e. National impact–meaning the project operates in more than one province at a time.
j) What are the processes of approvals for submitted applications?
NHC team receives and evaluates the administrative and compliance requirementsthat are specified in the advert and the application form. All qualifying and complyingapplications are recommended to the Heritage Funding Committee for adjudication. NHC uses the Heritage Funding Committee report to inform applicants on the status of their applications.
k) When is the closing date for the current submissions?
The closing date is always placed at the end of each advert and announced in the public platforms.
l) When and how is funding transferred to qualifying projects?
Approved applicants are informed in writing of the outcomes. Contracts are signed with the qualifying applicants. NHC does not give funding in full but in tranches i.e. 25% x 4 = 100% of the total amount approved.
m) How are projects monitored during the funding period?
NHC does project site visits regularly to implementing projects and a report is attached to every visit as well as transferring of each tranche (funding).
n) How do you inform the publics about your funding and requirements?
We inform our publics through electronic and print media namely Community radio stations; SABC radio stations and in the print media. For print media we use national and regional newspapers.
