Scholarships and Career Training that Leads to Employment

Scholarships and Career Training that Leads to Employment

We provide life-changing programs centered on quality education for vulnerable youth and women, empowering them to become active, contributing citizens.

Make A Difference IncGlobal & International Boise, ID Verified 501(c)(3)

What you’re funding

Scholarships & Financial AidWomen LedEntrepreneurshipWomen & GirlsHumansLeadership Development

We provide life-changing programs centered on quality education for vulnerable youth and women, empowering them to become active, contributing citizens.

Who We Help

A majority of the youth we help come from households with monthly incomes of just $30. Most have lost one or more of their parents. All are ambitious, grateful and hardworking. They have to maintain a minimum of a C average and give back to their communities to continue to receive support.

Results

- 100% have graduated from secondary school - Eight students have graduated from college. - Our first graduate from college donates $1,000 annually back to our organization. - Two of the four graduates are on our board. One has his masters in statistics and another is working on getting his PhD in neuroscience.

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Overview

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.

The story

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
What they do

Programs

Program 01

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.

Program 02

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.

Program 03

US College Scholarships

Need-based scholarships for students attending college in the United States. Support can cover tuition, health insurance, and campus housing.

Impact in person

Stories

Revo's path from orphanage to data scientist

Revo grew up without access to quality education and received support through Make A Difference Now. He earned a full scholarship to Duke University, completed a master's degree, and now works as a data scientist while giving back to Tanzania.

Mary's route to medical training

Mary earned her medical degree in 2024 and is completing her internship. She hopes to become one of Tanzania's first female orthopedic surgeons.

Peter's journey into law school

Peter was found at age six while surviving on his own. He is now studying law at Mzumbe University and is on track to graduate in 2027.

Helena's studies in wildlife management

Helena is pursuing a degree in Wildlife Management at Mweka College of African Wildlife Management. After support covered her first-year fees, she was able to attend a field safari required for her program.

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.
For the community

Need help?

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.

Calendar

Events

GivingTuesday campaign

annual

Annual giving campaign with matched donations mentioned in a campaign post.

Charity Hikes

ongoing

Fundraising hikes and travel experiences that support scholarships and job training for youth and women.

Beyond donations

Ways to help

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
Credibility

Recognition & press

Awards & recognition

  • Top-Rated Nonprofit (2025)
  • Platinum Transparency
  • GreatNonprofits Award every year

In the media

  • The University of Arizona Daily Wildcat, coverage of UA alumni climbing Mount Kilimanjaro to raise money for Make A Difference Now.

Press & mentions

From our newsroom

Other ways to help