SGS Consulting Field Visits to Support Tanzanian Community Foundation Network for Strategic plan development process

In June 2022,SGS team recently concluded a ten-day visit to Tanzania as part of our mission to grow and support community foundations across Southern Africa. The purpose of the visit was to develop a strategic plan for the Tanzanian Community Foundation Network (TCFN), which is the umbrella organisation of the Arusha Municipal Community Foundation, Kinondoni Community Foundation, Morogoro Municipal Community Foundation and Mwanza City Community Foundation respectively. Fourteen people attended the workshop,
which also served as a peer learning platform. TCFN Secretariat reflected on its work to date and its role as a Community Foundation Support Organisation (CFSO). This mainly related to how it could better support CFs in the country; grow community and institutional giving for local development; maintain and grow its national member network, and position itself as a value-adding partner amongst social protection and philanthropy stakeholders. Each community foundation presented an overview of their programmes, key challenges, and successes in their localities. It was refreshing to see and hear the participation of young people who gave meaningful contributions. Their youthful perspective, energy, and commitment to be co-creators of solutions to unlock community development was encouraging.

The Tanzanian Social Action Fund (TASAF) graciously availed their meeting facilities in Dar es Salaam to host the workshop. TASAF is the government custodian of a comprehensive social protection programme which boasts a significant grassroots footprint across the country.

Executive Director of TASAF, Mr. Ladislaus Mwamanga shared some opening and closing remarks on the first and last day of the workshop. Rahma Makalo represented TASAF for the entire duration of the workshop. We are grateful to Madame Tumpe Lukongo, Research and Development Specialist at TASAF for sharing her insights and also facilitating a meeting with one of TASAF’s strategic partners,