Living Hope

What Living Hope does

Living Hope is a faith-based Non-Profit Organisation registered in South Africa in September 2000, founded by Pastor John Thomas as an outgrowth of King of Kings Baptist Church (formerly Fish Hoek Baptist Church) to address the HIV/AIDS crisis in the Masiphumelele community. The organization delivers community development across 51 programs spanning healthcare, substance abuse recovery, life skills education, agricultural training, family strengthening, and disaster response. Its core service portfolio includes a 5-star COHSASA-accredited 22-bed Sub-Acute Hospital (the only facility of its kind in the Southern Peninsula), an 18-month four-phase Agricultural Training Programme, a proprietary First 1000 Days curriculum for mothers and infants, Home-Based Care conducting over 100,000 annual visits, and a three-phase Substance Abuse Recovery Programme. Living Hope operates across 8 geographic locations in the Western Cape, Eastern Cape, and Free State provinces, employing 200+ staff, mobilizing hundreds of volunteers annually, and reaching 118,484 people in 2024.

The organization's revenue model is donations-led, accepting contributions in ZAR, USD, and GBP from individuals, churches, and institutional donors, supported by affiliated 501(c)(3) (USA) and UK Charity entities that enable tax-advantaged cross-border giving. A supplementary earned-income stream comes from the Health Care Centre, which serves medical aid, public, and private patients (with revenue from paying patients subsidizing those who cannot afford care), and a charity shop in Muizenberg selling donated goods. Distribution is primarily direct-to-beneficiary through community-based service delivery — home visits, support groups, facility-based care, and on-site training programs — supplemented by international mission team coordination through partner The Team House.

Customer segments are diversified across six primary personas: people affected by HIV/AIDS and chronic illnesses, individuals struggling with addiction, children/teens and unemployed adults, vulnerable children and families, aspiring farmers and entrepreneurs, and disaster-affected communities. The organization holds regulatory credentials including NPO registration (012-587), PBO status (130001121), B-BBEE Level 1 certification, POPI compliance, and Department of Health facility registration, with strategic government partnerships (Western Cape Department of Social Development) and church-based referral networks providing institutional legitimacy and patient flow.

Name

Living Hope

Legal name

Living Hope Trust

Website

https://livinghope.co.za

Company type

Private

Founded year

2000

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Living Hope is a South African faith-based nonprofit operating 51 community development programs — including healthcare, substance abuse recovery, agricultural training, life skills, and family strengthening — across 8 locations in Western and Eastern Cape, serving 118,000+ beneficiaries annually through donations and direct community-based service delivery.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Community Development and Nonprofit Healthcare Services

NAICS

Individual and Family Services (6241), Other Individual and Family Services (624190), Community Food and Housing, and Emergency and Other Relief Services (6242), Emergency and Other Relief Services (624230), Community Housing Services (62422)

SIC

Services-Health Services (8000), Services-Nursing & Personal Care Facilities (8050), Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Misc Health & Allied Services, Nec (8090)

akta.pro primary industry

Faith-Based Humanitarian Aid & Relief Ministries (BPAGAJAF)

akta.pro secondary industries

Humanitarian-Development-Peace Nexus & Resilience Programming (BPADAEAK), Youth Mental Health, Counseling & Wellbeing (Education-Linked) Nonprofits (BPAGADAK), Faith-Based / Nonprofit Assisted Living Providers (HLADABAH), End-of-Life Emotional & Spiritual Support (Chaplaincy/Counseling) In-Home (HSABAFAH)

Keywords

• Community development services
• Faith-based nonprofit healthcare
• Substance abuse recovery
• Agricultural training programs
• Community health outreach

Headquarters

HQ city

Cape Town

HQ country

South Africa

HQ region

Africa

Offices11 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Donations and Charitable Giving: Living Hope relies primarily on donations from individuals, churches, and organizations. They accept one-time and recurring donations in multiple currencies (ZAR, USD, GBP) through their website, bank transfers, and other giving platforms. Donations are tax-deductible for South African taxpayers under Section 18A.
2. International Partnerships: Partnerships with international churches and organizations including USA 501(c)(3) status and UK Gift Aid scheme enable international donors to contribute with tax benefits. The organization has offices in the USA (Loganville, GA) and UK (Belfast, Northern Ireland) to facilitate international giving.
3. Charity Shop Sales: A second-hand charity shop located in Muizenberg sells quality clothing, shoes, accessories, bedding, homeware, and other items. Proceeds support Living Hope's programs and operations.
4. Healthcare Services: The Health Care Centre accepts patients belonging to medical schemes, public patients, and private paying patients. Revenue from medical scheme patients helps subsidize care for those who cannot afford medical treatment.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Living Hope is a faith-based Non-Profit Organisation that delivers community development programs including healthcare services (a 22-bed sub-acute hospital, home-based care, HIV/AIDS and TB counselling), substance abuse recovery, agricultural and vocational training, life skills education, family strengthening, and disaster response. Programs are delivered primarily free of charge to beneficiaries in under-resourced communities across Western and Eastern Cape, South Africa, with over 100,000 clients served annually.

Product overview

Living Hope is a faith-based Non-Profit Organisation operating various interconnected community development programmes. The organisation offers a portfolio of social services spanning Healthcare (Health Care Centre, Home Based Care, Adherence Support, HAST Counselling), Vocational Training (Agricultural Training Programme, Skills Development at Philippi Hub), Employment Services (Way To Work, Job Centre), Substance Abuse Recovery, Life Skills Education, Family Strengthening (including First 1000 Days), Disaster Response, and a Retail Charity Shop. Additionally, Living Hope offers volunteer and student internship programmes. The organisation reaches over 100,000 clients annually through these integrated services delivered across multiple communities in the Western and Eastern Cape of South Africa.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Health Care Centre (22-bed Sub-Acute Hospital) A 22-bed Sub-Acute Hospital facility providing physical rehabilitation, palliative care, recuperation following hospitalisation and respite care with holistic treatment including occupational therapy, physiotherapy, nutritional support, and spiritual counselling. Accepts medical aid, public, and private paying patients.
• Substance Abuse Recovery Programme A three-phase non-residential outpatient programme using Christian principles to break chains of addictions, holistically transforming people's habits, lives and families through formal lectures, gender-specific groups, and individual counselling. Provided free of charge.
• Agricultural Training Programme (Harvest Training Initiative) An 18-month four-phase Agricultural and Business Training Programme based on Biblical principles, developing future farmers through classroom lectures and practical hands-on farm experience covering agriculture, business, community development, life skills, and Christian discipleship.
• Life Skills Education Programme Value-based education programmes for children and teens including after-school clubs, holiday clubs, early childhood education, school-based values education, and the Eve Project providing sanitary products to teen girls.
• Way To Work Programme A 9-day job skills training course preparing people for work through topics including work ethic, organisational culture, values, and cultivating healthy attitudes towards work using experiential learning.
• Job Centre A job search assistance service providing computers, job application support, resume/cover letter assistance, and job search training for unemployed community members.
• Skills Development Programme (Philippi Hub) Holistic skills development at the Philippi Hub offering marketable skills in carpentry, welding, hairdressing, and financial literacy, with training in business management and leadership.
• Family Strengthening Programme Services building resilience in children and families through Early Intervention services, Gender Based Violence support, Trauma care, Counseling, and advocacy for vulnerable children.
• First 1000 Days Programme A programme supporting expectant mothers and mothers with babies aged 0-2 years, providing antenatal support, Moms and Tots groups, book-sharing courses, and parenting education based on Biblical values.
• Adherence Support Programme Community Health Workers assisting HIV+ or TB patients with treatment adherence through one-on-one counselling, treatment monitoring, status disclosure support, and community awareness initiatives.
• Home Based Care Programme Out-patient service operating in five communities with over 10,000 in-home visits annually, providing nursing care, wound dressing, health monitoring, chronic medication distribution, and medical referrals.
• HAST Counselling Service HIV, AIDS, Sexually Transmitted Infections, and TB counselling services providing HIV testing, health education, counselling, and treatment preparation at local hospitals and clinics (False Bay Hospital, DP Marais Hospital) and clinics in Fish Hoek, Ocean View, Muizenberg, Seawinds, Simon's Town.
• Mission Teams Programme Annual team service opportunities for volunteers including Holiday and Children's Clubs, Economic Empowerment, Construction projects, and Health Outreach programmes in Cape Town and East London, with logistics coordinated through The Team House partner.
• Volunteer Programme Local and international volunteer opportunities with minimum one-year commitment for international volunteers, supporting various Living Hope programmes and community development.
• Disaster Response Service Coordinated disaster relief efforts providing water, food, clothing, bedding, kitchen utensils, and cooking equipment following fires and floods in vulnerable communities.
• Student Internship Programme Local and international student internships accommodating vocations including Home Based Care, Social Work, Theology, Business Administration, Human Resources, Community Development, ECD, Life Skills Education, and Agriculture.
• Charity Shop (Muizenberg) A second-hand store located in a historical heritage building on Main Rd, Muizenberg, selling quality clothing, shoes, accessories, jewellery, bedding, homeware, music CDs/DVDs, toys, and books to support Living Hope's community work.
• Morning Star Children's Centre Day care facility for underprivileged children infected/affected with HIV/AIDS in the Free State province, serving approximately 150 children at 2 centres through optimum care, nutritious meals, appropriate medication, stimulating activities, and Christian compassion.

Quantifiable outcome

• 118,484 people served in 2024
• +8 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Chets Creek ChurchcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2009Chets Creek Church from the USA partnered with Gonubie Baptist Church beginning in 2009, placing a youth worker to teach Life Skills and Bible classes. The partnership involved mission teams and financial support that helped establish the foundation for what became Living Hope Eastern Cape. American volunteers managed the project initially before local leadership took over.
• Gonubie Baptist ChurchcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGonubie Baptist Church initiated community outreach to Mzamomhle township in 2007, building a netball court and starting a breakfast feeding scheme. Through partnership with Chets Creek Church and later Living Hope, the ministry progressed to establish a congregation and was incorporated under the Living Hope umbrella as the Eastern Cape Hub. The partnership enabled alignment of management, staffing, curricula, and activities with Living Hope's Western Cape operations.
• The Team HouseminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLiving Hope partners with The Team House to coordinate logistics for international mission teams, including airport transfers, lodging, food, and transportation. This partnership allows Living Hope to focus on ministry while The Team House handles operational logistics for visiting teams.
• Western Cape Department of Social DevelopmentcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Recovery Programme commenced in 2010 with support from the Western Cape Department of Social Development, local church and general public donations. This government partnership provides funding and legitimacy for substance abuse treatment services.
• Morning Star Children's CentrecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMorning Star Children's Centre is a day care facility for underprivileged children infected/affected with HIV/AIDS in the Free State. Now operating under the Living Hope umbrella, it serves approximately 150 children at 2 centres through optimum care, nutritious meals, appropriate medication, stimulating activities, and Christian compassion.
• TrustBridge GlobalminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorTrustBridge is a platform that enables anyone to support Living Hope and other charities worldwide. Donations through TrustBridge provide tax certificates and facilitate international giving for donors outside South Africa.
• Sweet PeasminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with Sweet Peas organization to support high-risk pregnancy clients. Combined efforts with Living Hope's Family Strengthening and Community-Based Services resulted in positive outcomes for vulnerable mothers and babies.
• Local Hospitals and ClinicscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLiving Hope HAST Counsellors serve in local hospitals (False Bay Hospital, DP Marais Hospital) and clinic facilities (Fish Hoek, Ocean View, Muizenberg, Seawinds, Simon's Town) throughout the Southern Peninsula of Cape Town.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• World Vision South Africa: Major international faith-based humanitarian NPO operating in South Africa with child sponsorship, community development, and healthcare programs. Overlaps with Living Hope on HIV/AIDS programming, child welfare, and community-based service delivery.
• Compassion International: Faith-based child sponsorship organisation with significant operations in South Africa. Comparable in faith-driven values, child and family welfare programming, and reliance on international donor base.
• Habitat for Humanity South Africa: Faith-affiliated housing NPO operating in South Africa with community development and shelter programs. Comparable in faith-based community upliftment focus and donor-funded NGO model.
• Mercy Ships: Global faith-based humanitarian organisation delivering healthcare services to underserved communities. Comparable in faith-based medical mission approach and donor-supported hospital-based service delivery, though operating at significantly larger scale with floating hospitals.

Direct peers

• Afrika Tikkun: South African faith-rooted NPO delivering integrated health, education, and social services across under-resourced communities. Directly comparable to Living Hope in mission, multi-program community-development model, and operating geography.
• Nazareth House: Faith-based non-profit providing palliative care, hospice, and child welfare services in South Africa. Comparable in faith-based nursing and child-care operations, including a sub-acute/palliative care facility model.

Emerging players

• Crossover Development Foundation: Faith-based community development NPO focused on Cape Town townships. Comparable in geographic focus, faith-based identity, and grassroots community development delivery.

Regional players

• Kolping Society of South Africa: Faith-rooted South African NPO delivering community development, skills training, and family support. Comparable in community-based skills development, agricultural training, and faith-driven social services.
• The Warehouse (Cape Town): Faith-based community development organisation operating in Cape Town, providing childcare, education, and family support. Comparable in operating geography, Christian ministry identity, and holistic community service model.
• Thembalitsha Foundation: South African faith-based NPO providing healthcare, education, and skills development in Western Cape communities. Comparable in faith-based identity, geo-focus, and integrated service delivery to vulnerable populations.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/LivingHopeZA
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCm_vJHjDfKLbbOu0rI_zNCg/videos
• Facebookfacebook.com/LivingHopeSouthAfrica
• Instagraminstagram.com/livinghopeza
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/living-hope

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Living Hope