Pretoria - The National Lotteries Board (NLB) has distanced itself from workshops organised by consultants inviting non-profit organisations to pay to attend training sessions on how to apply for funding from the lottery distribution fund.
It has emerged that fundraising consultants were inviting non-profit organisations to pay to attend training sessions on how to apply for funding from the National Lottery Distribution Trust Fund (NLDTF).
"There is no relationship between the NLDTF and these fundraising consultants or any other organisation or individuals offering to act as trainers or agents and claiming to be able to assist potential beneficiaries with the application process," NLB board chairperson, Professor Alfred Nevhutanda, explained on Thursday.
The NLB said it was cautioning potential applicants against trusting any external parties with their applications and that the board is there to provide assistance at no cost to applicants.
The applications deadline for any welfare non-profit organisations to request funding is 25 March 2011.
"There is a dedicated information centre at the NLB, whose staff can assist and respond to queries relating to the application process in all 11 languages," he said.
The application process is also explained in detail in the application guidelines that accompany every application pack, which also includes a check-list that assists applicants, ensuring they have included all relevant components with their submission.
The NLB information centre can be reached on 08600 65383. Application forms and guidelines for applicants can be obtained from the website (www.nlb.org.za/application.asp), through the post or from the NLB Information Centre in Hatfield, Pretoria.
