Small Grants Programme Supporting Women, Girls and Rural Communities (Tanzania)

Deadline: 18-Mar-2026

The Small Grants Programme provides funding of up to £5,000 per year (maximum £10,000) to NGOs and charitable organizations supporting women’s and girls’ education and self-sufficiency among rural and displaced communities in Tanzania. The programme targets grassroots organizations with proven governance, financial transparency, and sustainable impact.

Overview

The Small Grants Programme supports projects that expand access to education for women and girls and promote self-sufficiency in rural and displaced communities, especially female-headed households. The programme emphasizes sustainable, community-driven interventions rather than individual bursaries, scholarships, or orphanage support. Funded initiatives aim to strengthen economic resilience, enhance educational outcomes, and empower marginalized populations.

Funding and Grant Details

• Funding Amount: Up to £5,000 per year, for a maximum of two years

• Total Grant: Up to £10,000 per project

• Purpose: Support initiatives that improve education access for women and girls and enhance self-sufficiency among rural and displaced communities

• Payment Currency: Tanzanian organizations receive payments in USD; UK-based organizations receive payments in GBP

Who is Eligible?

Tanzanian Applicants

• Registered NGOs listed on the official government register with a current registration certificate

• Annual income of ≤ TZS 671,000,000 (~GBP 200,000)

• Operating for at least one full year with accounts available for that period

• Minimum of four Board members not related to each other or to employees

• Provide reference from a current or previous funder

• Hold a bank account in the organisation’s name with at least two signatories

• Able to accept grant payments in USD

UK Applicants

• Registered as a Charity, Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO), Charitable Company, or Excepted Charity

• Demonstrate capacity to manage grants and deliver sustainable impact in Tanzania

• Focus on small to medium-sized grassroots initiatives

Types of Supported Projects

• Education initiatives for women and girls, excluding individual scholarships, bursaries, and orphanages

• Community self-sufficiency projects, such as income-generation, skills training, agricultural initiatives, or economic resilience programs

• Grassroots interventions that empower female-headed households and marginalized communities

• Projects with clear measurable impact and sustainability plans

How to Apply / How It Works

1. Check Eligibility: Confirm registration, governance, financial compliance, and operational history.

2. Develop Project Proposal: Include objectives, community impact, sustainability plan, budget, and expected outcomes.

3. Provide References: Name and contact of a previous or current funder.

4. Submit Application: Follow submission guidelines and provide required documentation, including registration certificates, financial statements, and governance information.

5. Review and Assessment: Applications are evaluated based on eligibility, potential impact, sustainability, governance, and alignment with programme priorities.

6. Grant Award: Successful organizations receive funding for up to two years, with payments in the relevant currency.

Tips for a Strong Application:

• Highlight measurable outcomes for women, girls, and vulnerable households.

• Demonstrate financial transparency and strong governance structures.

• Emphasize community engagement and local impact.

• Show sustainability beyond the funding period.

• Include references from previous or current funders.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Applying without proper legal registration or financial documentation

• Focusing on individual bursaries or scholarships instead of community-based projects

• Failing to demonstrate impact on target groups (women, girls, rural, or displaced communities)

• Submitting incomplete governance information, such as board member details or bank account signatories

• Ignoring currency requirements for grant payments

Why This Programme Matters

The Small Grants Programme strengthens education access and economic resilience among vulnerable communities in Tanzania. By supporting grassroots organizations, the programme fosters sustainable social impact, empowers women and girls, and enhances the ability of rural and displaced populations to achieve self-sufficiency and long-term development.

FAQ – Small Grants Programme

1. What is the maximum funding available per year? £5,000 per year, up to two years.
2. Who can apply in Tanzania? NGOs registered on the official government register with compliant governance and financial records.
3. Who can apply in the UK? Registered charities, CIOs, charitable companies, or excepted charities with projects in Tanzania.
4. Can the funding support individual scholarships? No, the programme excludes individual bursaries, scholarships, and orphanages.
5. What financial requirements must applicants meet? Tanzanian NGOs must have annual income ≤ TZS 671,000,000 (~GBP 200,000).
6. Are references required? Yes, from a previous or current funder.
7. In what currency are grants paid? Tanzanian organizations receive USD; UK organizations receive GBP.

Conclusion

The Small Grants Programme provides targeted, sustainable funding to support education for women and girls and promote self-sufficiency in rural and displaced communities in Tanzania. By empowering grassroots NGOs and charitable organizations, the programme strengthens governance, community impact, and long-term social and economic development.

For more information, visit The Hilden Charitable Fund.