Non-profit organisations are built on trust, but trust alone is not enough to protect the organisation and its money. Good governance means having clear responsibilities, proper approvals, regular checks and good financial records. Simple controls, such as having more than one person involved in payments and checking the bank account every month, can prevent mistakes and help identify problems early. These basic steps protect the NPO, its staff, its funders and the people it was created to help.

Think good deeds excuse bad books? Think again. Whether you're feeding communities or fighting for change, your non-profit’s finances could make, or break your next funding round. Here’s what SARS, CIPC, DSD, and your donors expect to see (and what happens if you fall short).