Tanzania Development Trust

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £262,365 (2024)
• Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed (very competitive - “unlikely to fund most applications”)
• Decision Time: Monthly committee meetings (rolling applications)
• Grant Range: Up to £3,000 (typically under £3,000)
• Geographic Focus: Rural Tanzania (specific regions: Dodoma, Kagera, Kigoma, Lindi, Mara, Mtwara, Rukwa, Singida, Shinyanga, Simiyu)

Contact Details

• Website: www.tanzdevtrust.org
• Email: j.chapman@tanzdevtrust.org
• Phone: 07815053779
• Application enquiries: Contact local representatives or TDT before completing application form if uncertain about eligibility

Overview

Tanzania Development Trust (TDT) is a UK-registered charity (No. 270462, now operating as Charitable Incorporated Organisation No. 1215126) that has been funding grassroots development projects in rural Tanzania since 1975. With an annual expenditure of £262,365 (2024), the organization operates entirely through volunteers with 7 trustees and 55 volunteers, ensuring 100% of donations reach projects in Tanzania. TDT has funded over 680 projects helping more than 900,000 Tanzanians. The charity takes a holistic, community-driven approach focusing on three strategic pillars: clean water access, girls' education, and income generation. TDT pairs UK-based trustees with local Tanzanian representatives who conduct site visits and project assessments before presenting applications to monthly committee meetings.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

• Small Grants Programme: Up to £3,000 (rolling basis through online application)
• Applications reviewed by local representative project officers
• Monthly committee meetings for decision-making
• Site visits conducted before approval

Note: As of the website's last update, applications were temporarily suspended until January 31st, 2026 due to limited funds. Check current status before applying.

Priority Areas

Clean Water

• Drilling wells and borehole installation
• Rehabilitating water sources
• Rainwater harvesting systems for schools and communities
• Recent examples: 130-metre borehole at Ndikwa Girls' Secondary School (900 students); boreholes at Tumaini and Mwenda primary schools (2,319 students)

Girls' Education

• School hostels and safe houses enabling secondary school attendance
• Educational infrastructure (science labs, facilities)
• Technology for education (laptops, screens, Wi-Fi for deaf students)
• Mattresses and bedding for girls' dormitories
• Chair Janet Chapman: "passionate about girls' rights"

Income Generation

• Small business projects for rural women and youth
• Sustainable agriculture initiatives (goat farming, fish farms)
• Skills workshops (soap making, vocational training)
• Microenterprise development
• Revolving loan/asset schemes

What They Don't Fund

• Projects outside the specified rural regions
• Projects without clear success criteria
• Projects that don't benefit all community members regardless of faith
• Projects that don't offer equal opportunities
• Non-sustainable or environmentally harmful initiatives
• Large-scale projects exceeding £3,000
• Projects without strong community participation

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Governance and Leadership

UK-Based Trustees/Committee Members

Janet Chapman - Chair of Trustees

• Founder of Crowd2Map project (2015)
• Passionate advocate for girls' rights

Brian Medcalf - Treasurer

• Background in Pharmaceutical Project Management

Ian Coles

• Lawyer with extensive African legal experience

Jeremy Lefroy

• Former MP who lived in Moshi, Tanzania
• Director of multiple companies

Neil Stevens

• Business owner focused on youth development in East Africa

Paul Harrison

• Environmental conservation expert

Ruth Ndegwa

• Financial and operations management professional

Sheila Farrell

• Transport economist interested in economic development

Vipul Tanna

• Technology executive, born in Tanzania

Tanzanian Representatives

Rhobi Samwelly

• FGM survivor and activist
• Founder of Hope for Girls and Women

Aikande Clement Kwayu

• Development research consultant

Benedicto Hosea

• Environmental planner
• Founder of Mboni ya Vijana

Ezekiel Kassanga

• Founder of Kawiye Social Development Foundation

Hamza Rajabu

• Public health professional
• Leads Malengo Development Foundation

Patrick Matonya

• Leads Diocesan Deaf Ministry in Dodoma

The governance structure emphasizes that “no trustees receive any remuneration, payments or benefits” from the charity.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

Eligibility

• International and local non-profit organisations (including educational institutions)
• Must have a track record of project implementation in Tanzania
• Project must be located in rural areas of specified regions

Application Method

• Download application form from www.tanzdevtrust.org/funds/
• Submit by email in English or Swahili
• Contact local representatives or TDT before applying if uncertain about eligibility
• Provide as much additional material as possible for full project assessment

Application Review Process

1. Applications assigned to local representative project officer
2. Project officer analyzes project and asks questions
3. Site visit conducted
4. Presentation at monthly committee meeting for decision

Current Status: Check website for current application availability (historically suspended periodically due to limited funds)

Decision Timeline

• Review frequency: Monthly committee meetings
• Assessment period: Includes time for local representative to conduct site visits and analysis
• Notification: Not specified, but applicants contacted after committee meeting
• Applications processed on rolling basis when funding available

Success Rates

Success rates are not publicly disclosed, but TDT explicitly states they are “a very small charity and funding is extremely limited” and are “unlikely to be able to fund most applications.” This indicates highly competitive selection with low success rates.

Reapplication Policy

No specific reapplication policy disclosed in public materials.

Application Success Factors

Clear Success Criteria

TDT only awards grants “to projects with clear success criteria.” Applications must demonstrate measurable outcomes and how success will be evaluated.

Community-Driven Approach

Successful projects demonstrate:

• Strong community participation and support
• Benefits for all community members regardless of faith
• Equal opportunity provision
• Long-term sustainability planning
• Environmental friendliness

Alignment with Core Pillars

Projects closely aligned with TDT's three strategic focus areas (clean water, girls' education, income generation) appear most successful. Recent funded projects include:

• Water infrastructure: Boreholes at multiple schools serving thousands of students
• Girls' education: Hostels, mattresses, technology for deaf students
• Income generation: Goat farming, fish farms, soap making for youth and women

Local Representative Support

The site visit and local assessment are critical to success. Applications must satisfy the local Tanzanian representative who conducts due diligence before committee presentation.

Appropriate Scale

Projects must be realistic for grants “usually less than £3,000.” Successful projects are small-scale, specific interventions rather than ambitious, large-scale programs.

Track Record

Eligible applicants must demonstrate “a track record of project implementation in Tanzania,” indicating established organizations are preferred over new groups.

Strong Reporting Commitment

All successful applicants must:

• Complete a contract of agreement
• Provide regular reports with outcomes and benefits to beneficiaries
• Supply photographs of the project
• Give TDT good feedback throughout implementation

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Extremely competitive funding: TDT is explicit that they cannot fund most applications due to very limited resources. Only apply if project is exceptionally strong fit.

• Focus on the three pillars: Projects in clean water, girls' education, or income generation (especially for rural women and youth) are strategic priorities with proven track record of funding.

• Demonstrate clear, measurable success: Success criteria must be specific and achievable. TDT requires evidence-based outcomes.

• Regional targeting matters: Ensure project is in eligible rural regions (Dodoma, Kagera, Kigoma, Lindi, Mara, Mtwara, Rukwa, Singida, Shinyanga, Simiyu). Urban projects not considered.

• Site visits are decisive: Local Tanzanian representatives conduct in-person assessments. Project must demonstrate community support and practical feasibility for on-the-ground evaluation.

• Small-scale is appropriate: With grants typically under £3,000, design focused interventions rather than comprehensive programs. Recent examples include single boreholes, classroom equipment, small livestock schemes.

• Pre-application contact encouraged: TDT recommends contacting them or local representatives before investing time in full application if uncertain about eligibility—take advantage of this guidance opportunity.

Similar Funders

These funders have a similar focus and geographic reach:

• The Kitchen Table Charities Trust
• James Percy Foundation
• Blackfriars Overseas Aid Trust
• Halcrow Foundation
• The Randal Charitable Foundation
• The Jephcott Charitable Trust
• The Cumber Family Charitable Trust
• Wilmslow Wells for Africa
• MARR-MUNNING TRUST
• The True Colours Trust

References

• Tanzania Development Trust official website: https://tanzdevtrust.org/
• TDT Apply for Funds page: https://tanzdevtrust.org/funds/
• TDT About page: https://tanzdevtrust.org/about-the-tanzania-development-trust/
• TDT Projects page: https://tanzdevtrust.org/projects/
• TDT Meet the Committee page: https://tanzdevtrust.org/meet-our-committee/
• UK Charity Commission Register entry for Tanzania Development Trust (Charity No. 270462): https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-search/-/charity-details/270462
• TripleFunds entry on Tanzania Development Trust: https://triple-funds.com/tf-entry/grants-from-tanzania-development-trust/