Friends of Tanzania (FOT) awards grants throughout the year to Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) holding a Tanzanian certificate of registration that is at least one year old. Grants are modest and generally range from $500 to $3000 per award. FOT strives to distribute funds to projects located in different regions of Tanzania and will make no more than three (3) grants and/or make no more than $9,000 in grants in one region per calendar year. FOT attempts also to include a wide variety of developmental sectors in grants made each year. Organizations may request additional grants in subsequent calendar years based on documented successful prior project performance and impact.

FOT uses the following guidelines for evaluating and selecting projects and organizations for funding:

1. FOT considers it important that a project
   • Has achievable goals;
   • Is sustainable;
   • Addresses how it will create a positive impact on the quality of life;
   • Is built on demonstrated experience of the NGO with similar projects; and
   • Promotes community participation.
     
     
2. FOT has a preference for projects that
   • Support and benefit women, youth, the disabled and people affected by HIV/AIDS;
   • Develop the capacity of people to earn a living through microfinance or revolving loan programs;
   • Strengthen the infrastructures of health and educational institutions;
   • Address environmental issues through projects such as tree farming or water harvesting;
   • Facilitate increased agricultural productivity or animal raising;
   • Promote skill development for small business development that increases the ability for individuals or cooperatives to generate income;
   • Provide training-of-trainers; and
   • Provide technical assistance to health care providers, teachers, engineers and business people in order to enhance their knowledge and skills.
     
     
3. FOT selects organizations that
   • Work to benefit all members of a community;
   • Involve the community in the design and implementation of the project;
   • Demonstrate the ability to sustain the proposed project beyond the grant;
   • Have a bank account with at least two signers; and
   • Hold an official certificate of registration in Tanzania.
     
     
4. FOT Regular Projects will not provide funds for
   • Assistance for single families or an individual;
   • Perishable goods such as animal feed beyond needs for start up;
   • Supplies for resale;
   • Meals or refreshments;
   • Salaries for staff or laborers;
   • Honoraria and/or "sitting fees" for meetings or workshops
   • Standard operating expenses of an organization;
   • Project oversight cost by an organization;
   • Transportation of individuals;
   • Conferences;
   • Religious programs or proselytizing;
   • School fees
     
     

FOT welcomes letters of inquiry but will not act on a request until it receives a complete application. Applicants should be aware that FOT frequently ask questions for further clarity about the project and/or the organization so that it may take a few months after a complete application is received before a decision on the application is reached.