Make A Difference Inc
About Make A Difference Inc
The most compelling thing about Make A Difference Inc is how practical its support is. It helps students stay in school, then gives them the job-readiness skills to actually use that education, from resumes and mock interviews to financial literacy and entrepreneurship. For donors, that means backing a group of young people who are not just getting access, but getting a clearer route to income and independence.
What sets Make A Difference Inc apart is the follow-through. Students do not just receive scholarships, they are also supported as they prepare for work or business, and alumni stay connected as trainers, advisors, and board members. That creates a visible path from student to leader.
Programs
The concrete work this nonprofit runs. Each program may later become a fundable project.
Orphanage to College Scholarship Program
Fully supports children who once lived at an orphanage in Tanzania through secondary school and college, and may also provide meals, boarding, medical care, and transport depending on need.
Business Empowerment (BE) Program
Career readiness training delivered through a blended LMS, guided workbooks, and local trainers. The curriculum covers resumes, cover letters, mock interviews, job search strategy, digital literacy, financial literacy, business planning, entrepreneurship, communication, and workplace accountability.
US College Scholarships
Need-based scholarships for students attending college in the United States. Support can cover tuition, health insurance, and campus housing.
About this work
In their own words — what they do, who it reaches, and what your dollars actually fund.
Mission
To provide quality education to disadvantaged youth and women so they have the tools and skills to become self-sufficient, contributing citizens of the world.
Who they serve
Vulnerable and disadvantaged youth and women, including orphaned and hardworking students with significant financial need.
Their impact
- 73% of active job seekers are employed within six months of graduating from the BE Program.
- 100% of BE Program graduates say the program improved their understanding of the job market and employment skills.
- 89% of BE Program participants say they would recommend the program to others seeking job preparation assistance.
- 50,000 people now have access to computer centers, libraries, a basketball court, clean water, and classrooms in the Kilimanjaro community.
- 40,000 people have access to clean water.
- 30,690 meals are provided to the students supported.
- 10,230 days of education are provided each year to the students supported.
- 44 more laptops were distributed to students in the BE and Orphanage to College programs.
How your donation helps
- college tuition
- health insurance
- campus housing
- meals
- boarding
- medical care
- transport
- health checkups for a student
- uniforms and shoes for a student
- school supplies and required textbooks
- a year of training for a young woman so she can start her own business
- health checkups for all students in Tanzania
Our story
Theresa Grant founded Make A Difference Now in 2008 after working in Silicon Valley and moving to Africa. The work started with paying school tuition for orphaned children in Zambia, then grew into private education for children in need, and later added skills and business training for young women.
Need help?
How someone in need can access Make A Difference Inc’s services.
Students apply through the annual scholarship process. BE Program applicants must be accepted into the program, be actively seeking work or wanting to start a business, and then register for LMS access. Scholarship recipients reapply each year, and funding requests are made by semester.
Stories
The people behind the work.
In their words
I thank God for the blessings and this gift of life, and I thank Make A Difference Now and my family for helping me to succeed in this journey.
This trip helped me understand more about conservation and my studies in Wildlife Management. I am so happy and proud!
I'm honored to join Make A Difference (MAD) Now’s board of advisors and support its mission of creating real-world opportunities for youth and women.
Events
GivingTuesday campaign
annualAnnual giving campaign with matched donations mentioned in a campaign post.
Charity Hikes
ongoingFundraising hikes and travel experiences that support scholarships and job training for youth and women.
Ways to help
Concrete needs and volunteer roles Make A Difference Inc has shared.
Current needs
- Funding for the $195,000 Learning Hub campaign
- Land acquisition for the Learning Hub project
- Support for the $3,000,000 endowment goal
- Scholarship sponsors for students needing tuition, meals, accommodation, transport, and medical care
Volunteer opportunities
- Tutoring students
- Mentoring students
- Marketing and outreach
- CRM management
- LMS management
- Grant writing
- Donor appreciation
- Volunteer in Tanzania
- Volunteer from home
- Global Partnership Advisor & Ambassador
Recognition & press
Frequently asked questions
Common questions about this nonprofit and how its work happens.
How do students receive scholarship support?
Students apply through the annual scholarship process. If they are approved, support is need-based, and funding requests are made by semester.
What does the BE Program teach?
The BE Program covers resume and cover letter writing, mock interviews, job search strategy, digital literacy, financial literacy, business planning, entrepreneurship, professional communication, and workplace accountability.
Who can join the BE Program?
Accepted applicants who are actively looking for work or want to start a business.
What kinds of support can scholarship recipients receive?
Depending on need, support can include tuition, health insurance, campus housing, meals, boarding, medical care, transport, and technology.
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