Overall management, including the allocation of grants, is the responsibility of the Thembisa Trustees. The Charities Aid Foundation (CAF) administers Thembisa's finances in accordance with the Trustees' instructions. The Thembisa Treasurer handles all local administration. Running costs are minimal as all Trust workers are volunteers. All administrative costs are covered by funds that Trustees have donated specifically for that purpose; thus, projects receive 100% of funds raised.

• Community projects (e.g. orphanages, help with school/medical expenses)
• Education and training
• Empowerment and income generation (e.g. craftwork projects, food gardens)

For a project to be eligible for funding, it must meet the following criteria:

• Based in South Africa or Zimbabwe
• Not an individual
• Thembisa’s contribution is significant within the overall amount required
• Typically, in the first instance we do not fund more than £500.

If an application is considered suitable, Thembisa checks the validity of the request through Advisors in South Africa and the UK, who have first-hand knowledge of that project. If a project receives a grant, the recipients are required to provide regular feedback to Thembisa for the duration of the grant through reports, news updates etc. 

Please note that we are regretfully unable to accept any unsolicited requests for funding.

• Donations
• Events
• Applying to other charities (occasionally) with specific requests
• Bequests
• Reclaimed Tax