At acsis, we believe that we have a fundamental responsibility to assist in improving the lives of individuals and communities in South Africa through our work. We have therefore developed a corporate social investment (CSI) policy that is aligned to our business strategy and contributes to our overall mission and vision.
Our CSI programme is a deliberate, focused, coherent and progressive programme that is aligned to our business imperatives and is therefore:
- well co-ordinated
- guided by a common policy framework
- focused
- mutually beneficial
- seen as a strategic business function
- aligned to the core business
acsis CSI programme objectives
- make a meaningful investment in the future of the company
- make a significant impact by building of rewarding, sustainable relationships
- enhance acsis’ image and reputation
- support the strategic positioning of acsis as a caring and responsible corporate citizen
acsis CSI policy statement
At acsis, being a responsible and contributing corporate citizen is a key component of our business strategy. Therefore, through our community investment strategy, we are committed to empowering and nurturing people through individual interventions.
acsis CSI focus areas
In allocating resources to the outlined focus areas, we are guided by the need to:
- focus on communities within which we operate
- focus/emphasise investments in disadvantaged communities
- support programmes that engender development
acsis’ CSI 'footprint'
Investments will be made throughout South Africa, mainly focusing on the communities within which acsis operates.
programme focus areas
Two focus areas have been identified and are as follows:
- financial education and literacy
- lifestyle enhancement
The remainder of the CSI budget will be allocated to smaller social investments that fall within one of the following sectors:
- environment and conservation
- disaster relief
- job creation
- skills training
criteria for selecting projects
All organisations and projects identified for financial support from acsis must:
- serve disadvantaged communities within South Africa
- have youth / young adults and women as their main beneficiaries
- demonstrate the possibility for sustainability
- allow for employee involvement
- ensure that monitoring and evaluation systems are incorporated for effective impact measurement
- be implemented by organisations that are registered as Non Profit Organisations with the Department of Social Development’s NPO Directorate and have Section 18(A) tax exemption status
- be implemented by organisations that have been in existence for a minimum of one year
acsis will not offer financial support to:
- profit-making organisations and companies
- religious organisations for sectarian activities
- political parties or groups with partisan political affiliations
- labour unions
- conferences
- organisations that have been in existence for less than one year
- organisations that are not registered as Non Profit Organisations with the Department of Social Development’s NPO Directorate
- organisations that do not have Section 18(A) tax exemption status
acsis CSI budget
The annual CSI budget will be calculated according to a minimum of 2% of net profit after tax in that financial year. The majority of funding will be allocated to selected flagship projects with the balance allocated to the non-flagship projects.
The budget will run from 1 April to the end of March each year. Project application submissions will only be received and considered from January to April each year.
employee involvement
At acsis, we realise the value of involving our employees in our CSI activities and as such will endeavour to develop and implement an employee participation programme. This programme will aim to holistically address the needs of our employees while achieving our corporate objectives.
Employees will be invited to submit projects within the identified focus areas for consideration for funding. They will also have the opportunity to provide input into the final projects under consideration by the acsis Foundation.
Once the final projects are selected, employees will be encouraged to get involved in these projects by volunteering their time and making additional financial contributions and donations in kind. The volunteer and other needs of projects that we support will be identified and communicated to our employees to ensure that they are aware of the opportunities available for engagement.
 
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