Robin Hood founder Cindy Norcott steps back

AFTER  20 years at the helm of the Robin Hood Foundation, founder and chairperson Cindy Norcott is stepping back to pursue other interests. 

Norcott told the Independent on Saturday this week that she has “removed” herself from the organisation’s board but will remain involved in a volunteer capacity.

The change, which takes effect in January, will give Norcott more time for travel and international speaking commitments, while Tilanie Grote takes over leadership. 

“She's been a volunteer for 10 years, on our committee for two years, and she runs a professional photography business. We are personal friends and she is my heartbeat. She is humble, hardworking, and just so calm, drama-free, and loving,” Norcott said.

Despite the decision to step down, letting go of an organisation that has been part of her life for two decades is emotional. 

The Robin Hood Foundation was established when Norcott noticed how quickly her baby outgrew her clothes. 

This inspired the Love the Babies project, which later expanded to include initiatives such as providing “Gogo bags” for the elderly, building creches, hosting entrepreneurial conferences, school parties for disabled children, and launching animal welfare projects.

“It just started growing so organically and beautifully. I feel proud of what we've achieved, emotional, and relieved that I found somebody who can take over for me. It's very conflicting emotions and sad that it's not going to be mine, but it's never been mine, it's always been ours. We were an amazing team, and I’m confident it’s in the right hands,” she said.

In addition to her philanthropy, Norcott is the founder and CEO of Pro Talent, a multi-award-winning recruitment agency. This week, she also launched her third book, The Weight of Hope, which chronicles her time at the Robin Hood Foundation and the legacy she leaves behind.

“With this book, I wanted to package the nuggets I picked up along the way, things I wished someone had taught me years ago,” Norcott explained. 

She describes it as her parting gift to the organisation. “When I started my NPO, I didn’t have a mentor, guidebook, or role model. Over the years, hundreds of people in the nonprofit space have come to me saying, ‘You’ve done such a great job. How do you do this?’ I wanted to give people real, practical wisdom.”

One lesson she wishes she had understood from the start is the importance of boundaries. “When you run an NPO, you’re fulfilling a societal need, and often that need comes from desperation. Everything feels like an emergency, and you think you must help everyone. But it’s not possible to help all the time.”

The book also reflects on the value of networking and learning from other nonprofits, and the need for nonprofit education in schools. “We learn about business, but the nonprofit space is a huge part of South Africa. Learning about it early could help people understand this important community service,” she said.

The Weight of Hope shares lessons on starting a charity, fundraising, volunteer management, and the risk of burnout, which Norcott experienced during events like the KZN floods, the looting, and the Covid-19 pandemic. She also addresses “white saviour syndrome,” cautioning against approaching communities in ways that are disrespectful or disempowering.

The book retails for R250 plus VAT, with R50 from each copy donated to the Robin Hood Foundation. Copies are available by emailing cindy@proappoint.co.za or visiting www.cindynorcott.co.za.